BILLINGS, MT – Fermin Joseph Vasquez, 39, was sentenced today to 30 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release for being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided over the case, as announced by U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich.
On April 27, 2021, a 911 caller reported Vasquez walking down a residential street in Billings with his face concealed by a bandana and carrying a weapon wrapped in a blanket. When approached by police, Vasquez was observed doing lunges with the .22-caliber semi-automatic rifle slung over his shoulders. Officers disarmed and arrested him. Vasquez admitted to being a felon on probation at the time of the incident and has four prior felony convictions.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie R. Patten prosecuted the case, with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Billings Police Department leading the investigation.
The case is a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through coordinated law enforcement and community engagement.