DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
District of North Dakota

For Immediate Release

Friday, December 20, 2013
Timothy Q. Purdon
, United States Attorney
Contact: Beth Lang

Bismarck Man Sentenced for Felon in Possession Charge

BISMARCK– U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on Dec. 19, 2013, Dylan A. Romero, 34, Bismarck, N.D., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland on a charge of possession of firearm by a convicted felon. Romero was found guilty by a federal jury on Sept. 6, 2013.

Judge Hovland sentenced Romero to seven years in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Romero was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victim’s Fund.

In August 2012, law enforcement officials received information that a prohibited person, known as "Twist," was interested in obtaining a handgun. "Twist," identified as Dylan Romero, contacted an undercover ATF agent and arrangements were made for Romero to obtain a handgun and $600 for an ounce of cocaine. The undercover ATF agent met with Romero on Sept. 26, 2012, in Bismarck. Romero provided the agent with an ounce of fake cocaine and Romero took the gun, which was locked and disabled. Law enforcement officials immediately arrested Romero.

Romero was prohibited from possessing a firearm due to eight felony convictions, including the following: 1998 burglary, 2001 possession of controlled substance (cocaine), 2009 delivery of imitation controlled substance, and 2009 possession of marijuana with intent to deliver.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the Metro Area Narcotics Task Force, the Bismarck Police Department, the Burleigh County Sheriff’s Office, the North Dakota Parole and Probation Office, and the North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Hagler prosecuted the case.

###

St. Paul Field Division