A Billings felon’s love of firearms landed him five years behind bars, courtesy of a string of stolen handguns.
Armondo Anthony Ronquillo, 37, was sentenced to 60 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for his part in the theft and resale of four firearms.
The government alleged that in January 2023, law enforcement served a search warrant on Ronquillo’s residence and located three handguns, 100 rounds of ammunition, meth, fentanyl pills, and $546 in cash.
Ronquillo admitted to selling drugs and trading them for firearms, a practice he continued even after being caught red-handed by law enforcement in March 2023.
That’s when police stopped the vehicle Ronquillo was riding in and found a fanny pack containing a pistol and 10 rounds of ammunition. All four firearms in Ronquillo’s possession had been stolen.
Ronquillo was prohibited from possessing firearms due to a previous felony conviction in Montana, making his actions all the more egregious.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Karla E. Painter handled the case, which was investigated by the Billings Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by bringing together law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Ronquillo’s sentence serves as a harsh reminder of the consequences of breaking the law, particularly when it comes to firearms.
U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters presided over the case, meting out the punishment that Ronquillo deserved.
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Key Facts
- State: Montana
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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