Spokane - Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Juan Manuel Fernandez, age 33, of Wenatchee, Washington, was sentenced on August 8, 2013, after having previously pled guilty on March 21, 2013, to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Senior United States District Court Judge Wm. Fremming Nielsen sentenced Fernandez to a ten year term of imprisonment, to be followed by a three year term of court supervision after he is released from Federal prison. In addition, Fernandez was ordered to forfeit the firearm.
According to information disclosed during the court proceedings, in late July and early August 2012, a Columbia River Drug Task Force investigation revealed Fernandez was distributing methamphetamine in the Wenatchee area. On Aug. 10, 2012, the Columbia River Drug Task Force executed a search warrant on Fernandez's Wenatchee residence and located a large quantity of methamphetamine as well as a Ruger Model 10-22.22 caliber rifle. The rifle's barrel had been significantly modified to be easily concealed.
Michael C. Ormsby stated, "that this case is a perfect example of the cooperation and coordination between federal and local officials in efforts to combat violent crime in our region. Our colleagues in Wenatchee and Chelan County did a wonderful job on this case."
This investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Columbia River Drug Task Force, the Chelan County Sheriff's Office, the Wenatchee Police Department, and the Washington State Patrol. The case was prosecuted by Caitlin A. Baunsgard, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
CR-12-00125-WFN
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
