CASPER, WY – A D.C. man with a history of run-ins with the law is headed to federal prison after terrorizing a Wyoming taxi driver with a handgun nearly four years ago. Erick Blanco-Cordova, 24, was sentenced to two years behind bars today after pleading guilty to a weapons charge stemming from the November 2019 incident. While the driver escaped physical harm, the brazen display of force left him shaken and sparked a federal investigation that crossed state lines.
Details surrounding the *why* remain murky. Court documents reveal Blanco-Cordova directly threatened the driver with the firearm during a ride in Casper, Wyoming, but the motive for the threat remains unclear. Was it a robbery gone wrong? A personal dispute that spilled over? Federal prosecutors weren’t interested in the nuances, hammering home the severity of brandishing a deadly weapon, regardless of the circumstances. “Any threat with a firearm is a serious offense,” stated a source within the U.S. Attorney’s office who spoke on condition of anonymity. “It doesn’t matter *why* he pulled the gun, it matters *that* he did. This sends a clear message: weaponize fear, and you will pay the price.”
The charge, specifically 18 U.S.C. § 924(c)(3), involves knowingly possessing a firearm during a crime of violence – in this case, assault with a dangerous weapon. While Blanco-Cordova avoided a potentially steeper sentence by entering a guilty plea, the feds successfully argued for the full two-year term. Sentencing guidelines for this offense typically range from a minimum of 5 years to a maximum of 20 years, but Blanco-Cordova’s plea deal and lack of prior *federal* convictions likely played a role in the reduced sentence. However, court records indicate Blanco-Cordova has a juvenile record in the District of Columbia, details of which remain sealed.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Ferris Pirro’s office pushed hard for the two-year sentence, emphasizing the need to deter similar acts of violence. The judge ultimately agreed, ordering Blanco-Cordova to serve his time in a federal facility, a world away from the D.C. streets where this saga began. The case serves as a stark reminder of the expansive reach of federal law enforcement, demonstrating their ability to prosecute crimes even in remote locations like Casper, Wyoming.
This isn’t just about one scared taxi driver. Federal prosecutors often use these cases to send a message about gun violence, even when the incidents don’t involve serious injury. The act of brandishing a firearm is considered a direct threat to public safety, and the feds are keen to show they won’t tolerate it. Sources within the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), which assisted in the investigation, suggest a focus on tracing the weapon to ensure it wasn’t illegally obtained or linked to other criminal activity.
Blanco-Cordova’s defense attorney, public defender Sarah Miller, declined to comment beyond confirming her client accepted responsibility for his actions. Miller argued Blanco-Cordova had been struggling with personal issues at the time of the incident, but the judge showed little leniency. The victim, who has requested anonymity, released a brief statement through the U.S. Attorney’s office: “I’m glad this is over. I hope he gets the help he needs.”
While two years may seem lenient to some, the feds consider it a victory. They successfully prosecuted a case involving a dangerous weapon and sent a clear message that threatening violence will not be tolerated. This case, like many others, highlights the ongoing struggle to keep firearms out of the hands of those who would misuse them, and the commitment of federal agencies to pursue justice, one state line at a time.
This conviction comes on the heels of other recent federal prosecutions in the region, including the ten-and-a-half year sentence handed down to the Chinatown Walgreens robber last week, showcasing a renewed focus on violent crime and property offenses across multiple jurisdictions. The feds are clearly signaling they’re not backing down.
Related Federal Cases
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- Utah Man Convicted of Assaulting Capitol Police with Flagpole · Washington
- DC Predator Gets 10 Years for Sickening Abuse · Washington
- Arkansas Man Gets 52 Months for Capitol Beatdown · Arkansas
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release
- Keywords: gun crime, wyoming, federal prosecution
Source: DOJ Press Release
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