Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Spokane – Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Ronald Alex Phillips, age 48, of Yakima, Washington, was sentenced today for being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm. United States District Court Judge Stanley A. Bastian sentenced Phillips to a 15-year term of imprisonment pursuant to the Armed Career Criminal Act, and a five year term of court supervision following release from Federal prison.

According to information disclosed during the court proceedings, on March 28, 2015, Phillips, a previously convicted felon, threatened to shoot a woman at an AM/PM mini-mart in Yakima, Washington. He approached the woman, made a derogatory comment to her, then stated: "I’m going to shoot you." Phillips lifted up his shirt and revealed a firearm in his waistband. Following a 911 call, Yakima Police Department officers responded to the scene and arrested Phillips, who was in possession of a firearm. Phillips has dozens of prior criminal convictions ranging from drug trafficking and robbery to assault and theft.

Michael C. Ormsby said, "Prosecuting firearms-related crimes continues to be a priority for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington. In this case, the Yakima City Police Department partnered with Special Agents working for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to successfully prosecute this Federal case. Previously convicted felons should be aware that there are serious criminal penalties connected with possessing any firearm and that this Office is committed to prosecuting aggressively firearms-related cases in the Eastern District of Washington."

The case was investigated by the Yakima City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Ian L. Garriques, an Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

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