Antonio Montellano, 44, was sentenced on July 13 by Chief District Court Judge Stanley Bastain to 328 months in prison and five years of supervised release for the murder of a Yakama Nation man in January 2025, according to First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano. The sentencing took place in Yakima, Washington.
At the time of the offense, Montellano was under federal supervision following a conviction for Importation of Cocaine and Methamphetamine from 2012. His supervision had been transferred to the Eastern District of Washington in 2023. In January 2025, while at the victim’s home, an argument occurred between Montellano and the victim. After several days without sleep and under the influence of methamphetamine, Montellano struck the victim with a shovel multiple times. He then covered the body with a blanket, searched for surveillance cameras, took additional items from the home, and fled. The victim’s family discovered his body on January 28.
Investigators from Yakama Nation Tribal Police and FBI identified that the victim’s new cellular phone was missing. When agents called it, Montellano answered using a false name and lied about how he obtained it. Utilizing phone data and camera footage, law enforcement identified him as their primary suspect. The investigation revealed that after fleeing Washington State he traveled to California before crossing into Mexico. With cooperation between U.S. authorities and Mexican agencies Fuerza Estatal de Seguridad Ciudadana (FESC) in Baja California and Instituto Nacional de Migracion (INM), Montellano was deported back to the United States where he admitted killing the victim; he pled guilty to Second Degree Murder on November 4 after being indicted by a Grand Jury.
During sentencing proceedings attended by multiple family members and friends of the victim, statements were made about his large family including grandchildren who missed him deeply. Chief District Court Judge Bastain cited concerns over Montellano’s criminal history as well as his impulsive behavior leading up to this crime when imposing sentence.
First Assistant Pete Serrano said, “Behind every senseless act of violence is a family member forever changed whose loss echoes far beyond the crime scene. Justice cannot restore a life lost to senseless violence, but it can confirm that every victim matters and that repeated criminal behavior has devastating consequences. I am thankful for the efforts of all involved to bring this repeat violent offender back to face his crimes.”
Special Agent in Charge W. Mike Herrington of FBI Seattle Field Office said, “Not only did Mr. Montellano repeatedly attack the victim violently, but he also took steps to cover up the murder before fleeing state and country… No matter how far a subject runs, FBI will work diligently with our partners to bring them back to face justice.”
The case was investigated by Yakama Nation Tribal Police alongside FBI agents; prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorney Tom Hanlon.
The U.S Attorney for Eastern District of Washington covers twenty counties east of Cascade Mountains; prosecutes federal crimes; handles civil litigation; supports community safety initiatives such as drug awareness programs; manages joint training schools through its Law Enforcement Coordinating Committee; works closely with local tribal state federal law enforcement agencies—all according to the official website.