Rawlins Felon Faces 18 Months for Gun Possession

George Ostertag, 38, from Rawlins, Wyoming, has been sentenced to an 18-month term in federal prison followed by three years of supervised release. The sentence stems from Ostertag’s possession of a firearm as a felon, uncovered during a routine traffic stop on January 24, 2024.

The incident began when law enforcement pulled Ostertag over for a traffic violation. A K9 unit alerted officers to the presence of controlled substances in the vehicle. During a subsequent search, they discovered a 9mm pistol with an obliterated serial number hidden between the driver’s seat and the center console. Ostertag was previously convicted of a felony and knew he was legally prohibited from owning a firearm.

The Wyoming Highway Patrol and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Paige Hammer handling the prosecution. On May 16, 2024, Ostertag was indicted for illegal firearm possession, and he pleaded guilty on June 17, 2025. The sentence was imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Case No. 24-CR-00084.

In other significant developments, Barry Joe Barrera, 41, of Casper, Wyoming, has been sentenced to 152 months’ imprisonment and four years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, distribution of methamphetamine, and use of a firearm in relation to drug trafficking. The investigation into Barrera began in December 2024 by the Wyoming Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), culminating in a high-speed chase after agents observed him traveling from Colorado with drug supplies.

During the pursuit on January 9, 2025, methamphetamine was tossed out of the vehicle. The Wyoming DCI and Department of Homeland Security were involved in the investigation, which resulted in Barrera’s arrest and plea of guilty on May 9, 2025. U.S. District Court Judge Alan B. Johnson imposed the sentence on September 11, 2025. Case No. 25-CR-00074.

Juan Olvera-Venegas, 35, from Guanajuato, Mexico, has been sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment and faces deportation following his release for illegal re-entry into the United States. He was apprehended on May 16, 2025, after being found in possession of a controlled substance in Goshen County. ICE agents confirmed Olvera-Venegas had been deported multiple times since 2013.

The Office of the U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming is dedicated to enforcing federal laws and ensuring community safety through initiatives like Project Safe Childhood, which combats technology-facilitated sexual exploitation crimes against children.