BILLINGS, MT – A brazen display of disregard for the law landed Fermin Joseph Vasquez, 39, of Billings, a 30-month federal prison sentence Wednesday. Vasquez, already a convicted felon and on probation, was caught walking down a residential street in April 2021 sporting a bandana over his face and carrying a concealed .22-caliber semi-automatic rifle wrapped in a blanket.
The incident unfolded after a 911 call alerted Billings Police to the suspicious figure. According to court documents, Vasquez attempted a bizarre display – performing lunges while carrying the weapon over his shoulders – when officers approached. Suspecting drug use, officers quickly disarmed and handcuffed Vasquez, who readily admitted his felony status and probation.
This wasn’t Vasquez’s first brush with the law. He boasts four prior felony convictions, making his possession of the firearm a clear violation of federal law. U.S. District Judge Susan P. Watters handed down the 30-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release, emphasizing the severity of his actions.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Julie R. Patten successfully prosecuted the case, building a solid argument based on the evidence gathered by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Billings Police Department. The investigation highlighted Vasquez’s blatant disregard for public safety and the legal restrictions placed upon him as a convicted felon.
U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich framed the sentencing as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN),” a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. The program focuses on building trust with communities, supporting local organizations, and strategically prioritizing enforcement efforts. The Department of Justice launched a renewed emphasis on PSN in May 2021, strengthening its core principles.
Vasquez’s case serves as a stark reminder that illegally possessing firearms carries serious consequences, particularly for those already burdened by a criminal record. His actions not only endangered the public but also demonstrated a callous indifference to the laws designed to protect the community. He will now have ample time to reflect on those choices behind bars.
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