Williston Man Gets 15 Years for Gun, Ammo as Convicted Felon

BISMARCK, ND – In a stunning display of disregard for the law, 32-year-old Eric Obregon, Jr. of Williston, North Dakota, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition by a Convicted Felon.

On May 2, 2024, Obregon appeared before U.S. District Court Judge Daniel M. Traynor and pleaded guilty to the charges. The sentence was handed down after a tense standoff between Obregon and the Williston Police Department on December 9, 2022.

According to court documents, Obregon was driving a vehicle that was partially blocking the intersection of 2nd Avenue West and 42nd Street West in Williston, ND. When a Williston Police Officer approached the vehicle, Obregon attempted to flee, pushing one of the officers and discharging a firearm towards the officers while on foot.

The officers returned fire, and Obregon continued to flee, eventually being struck in the leg by one of the officers. A Smith and Wesson M&P Shield 9mm handgun was found next to Obregon, and a firearm magazine containing two rounds of ammunition was recovered from his pocket.

The defendant was prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition due to a previous conviction for Prohibited Possession of a Firearm in Williams County District Court on September 24, 2020. Obregon was on state probation for this conviction at the time of the instant offense.

U.S. Attorney Mac Schneider praised the Williston Police Department for their bravery and skill in neutralizing the threat. “This is a just sentence for someone who violently put law enforcement lives at risk,” Schneider said. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to aggressively use the felon in possession statute to take violent offenders out of our communities and fairly put them in federal prison.”

Chief of Police David A. Peterson of the Williston Police Department expressed his appreciation for the partnership with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and other agencies in bringing about justice for the community. “The work completed by the men and women of the WPD, BCI, FBI, and other agencies brought resolution to the Obregon case, holding the defendant responsible for his actions.”

This case was investigated by the Williston Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office, with Assistant United States Attorney David Hagler assigned to the case.