Robert J. "Bob" Troester U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Oklahoma
Fernando Jesus Villegas, 41, of Oklahoma City, has been sentenced to 77 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm after a prior felony conviction. The announcement was made by U.S. Attorney Robert J. Troester.
The case stems from an incident on May 21, 2025, when the Oklahoma City Police Department responded to reports of an armed individual at a church near S. Shartel Avenue and SW 25th Street. According to church members, Villegas entered the basement where several people, including children, were present and demanded their assistance in hiding him. Witnesses stated that Villegas brandished a handgun, pointed it at someone, and waved it in the air. When police arrived at the scene, Villegas fled but was apprehended nearby soon after. Officers found a handgun in his front pocket during his arrest.
A federal Grand Jury indicted Villegas on August 5, 2025, charging him with being a felon in possession of a firearm. He pleaded guilty on October 22, 2025.
Court records show that Villegas has several previous felony convictions in Oklahoma County District Court: possession of drug proceeds and marijuana (case CF-2003-3981), possession of methamphetamine (case CF-2015-1908), and both possession of methamphetamine and aggravated eluding a police officer (case CF-2016-364).
U.S. District Judge David L. Russell sentenced Villegas on February 18, 2026, ordering him to serve more than six years in prison followed by three years of supervised release. In issuing the sentence, the court emphasized concerns about public safety given Villegas' criminal record.
The investigation involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as well as local police authorities. Assistant U.S. Attorney David Nichols Jr., handled prosecution for the case.
"Reference is made to public filings for additional information."
