Vancouver Man Sentenced to 2.5 Years for Illicit Arsenal

Tacoma – Joao Ricardo DeBorba, a 48-year-old Brazilian National with a history of domestic violence convictions, has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison for federal felonies related to the illicit acquisition of firearms, ammunition, and a silencer. DeBorba was found guilty at a bench trial in February 2024 and has been detained at the Federal Detention Center at SeaTac since then.

According to records, DeBorba entered the United States on a tourist visa in 1999, overstayed his visa, and falsified documents to work in the country and acquire firearms. In 2019, while purchasing firearms in Oregon and Washington, DeBorba provided false information about his citizenship on government forms.

DeBorba continued to purchase firearms despite his history of domestic violence convictions and a ‘No Contact’ order. In January 2022, he was convicted of a second case of domestic violence assault, and he was informed that he could not possess firearms.

When law enforcement served a search warrant at DeBorba’s residence, agents seized five firearms, including three ‘ghost guns’ without serial numbers or manufacturers’ marks. The firearms, along with a large amount of ammunition, firearms silencers, magazines, and various gun cases, were found in addition to the seized firearms.

Assistant United States Attorney Max Shiner wrote to the court, ‘following his first reported domestic violence incident, DeBorba’s conduct only became more troubling.’ DeBorba’s history of violence and his continued possession of firearms despite the ‘No Contact’ order and domestic violence convictions led to the harsh sentence.

The case was investigated by the FBI, with assistance from the Vancouver Police Department, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), and the Social Security Office of Inspector General (SSA-OIG). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Max Shiner.