Justin Vazquez Convicted of Felon Gun Possession in Buffalo

Justin Vazquez, 30, of Buffalo, NY, is headed for federal prison after a jury found him guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm — a loaded semi-automatic assault rifle discovered in his bedroom during a hostage scare involving his own mother and two minors.

The conviction, announced today by Acting U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr., stems from a 911 call made on January 29, 2015, by Vazquez’s mother, who told Buffalo Police she was being held hostage by her son inside their Madison Avenue residence. Officers arrived to find Vazquez in the shower and immediately launched a search of the home.

Inside Vazquez’s bedroom, investigators uncovered the loaded assault rifle. A handwritten sign taped to the door read, “no trespassing or you will be shot.” Forensic analysis later confirmed Vazquez’s DNA on the weapon — a key piece of evidence that sealed his fate at trial.

Prosecutors Michael J. Adler and Michael P. Felicetta emphasized that Vazquez had no legal right to possess any firearm, having been previously convicted of three felony counts of Criminal Contempt in New York State Court. Those prior convictions automatically barred him from owning or handling guns under federal law.

The case was the product of a joint investigation by the Buffalo Police Department, led by Commissioner Daniel Derenda, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), under Special Agent-in-Charge Ashan Benedict, New York Field Division. Their collaboration turned a family disturbance into a federal firearms prosecution.

Vazquez now faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for May 11, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. before Chief U.S. District Judge Frank P. Geraci, Jr., who presided over the trial in Buffalo.