Herbert D. Zeno, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Vancouver WA, 2023

Vancouver, Washington – The grimy streets of Vancouver witnessed a moment of justice on January 31 as HERBERT D. ZENO, a 32-year-old known gang member with the Bloods, was sentenced to ten years in federal prison and three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Zeno’s sentence was announced by U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan following his conviction at a three-day jury trial in November 2013. The seasoned criminal had been arrested and booked into the Clark County Jail on January 31, 2013, with charges filed federally just two weeks later.

U.S. District Judge Ronald B. Leighton minced no words during sentencing, branding Zeno as ‘a walking, talking crime wave’ and a ‘bully and predator.’ The judge’s harsh assessment was backed by Zeno’s history of domestic violence, which includes five prior convictions and eight felony convictions.

Testimony revealed that the firearm at issue was discovered hidden under a dresser during a court-authorized search warrant served at both Zeno’s home and a relative’s residence. The red Bloods bandana wrapped around the weapon was a clear sign of ownership, linking it directly to Zeno.

Prosecutors argued for a ten-year term, emphasizing that this was Zeno’s fourth conviction for unlawful firearm possession. They highlighted his pattern of crime, gun possession, abuse towards women, and his role as a violent gang member.

The investigation was a collaborative effort between the FBI’s Safe Streets Gang Task Force, which includes officers from the Vancouver Police Department and Clark County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the ATF. Assistant United States Attorneys Michael Dion and Thomas Bates prosecuted the case.

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