Yakima, Washington – Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Alexis Nunez, 23, was sentenced after pleading guilty to one count of Felon in Possession of a Firearm. United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke imposed a sentence of 57 months imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to court documents and information presented at the sentencing hearing, on March 29, 2022, in the Yakima County Superior Court, Nunez was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment (concurrent) for two separate felony offenses. On July 25, 2023, Nunez was released from state prison. Six months after his release from prison, on January 25, 2023, officers with the Yakima Police Department responded to the Little Dutch Inn bar. Nunez had been drinking alcohol and became agitated when he was told he would no longer be served. Witnesses said they heard Nunez make threatening statements, including that “he would have his homies shoot up the bar and burn it down.” Nunez also bragged that he recently had been released from prison.
YPD Officers observed Nunez and another person walking a short distance from the bar. As officers approached, they saw Nunez throw a black handgun. Officers then arrested Nunez. The firearm was a Taurus, Model G3 semi-automatic pistol. The magazine was loaded with more than 15 rounds of ammunition. Officers also discovered marijuana that was possessed for the purposes of sale.
On March 29, 2022, Nunez had been convicted of Attempting to Elude a Police Vehicle, a felony, in Yakima County Superior Court. Because of this conviction, Nunez could not legally possess a firearm.
“Alcohol, firearms, and felons can be a deadly combination. Mr. Nunez made violent threats to employees and was armed with an illegal firearm. I’m grateful no one was hurt,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “My office prioritizes cases that involve dangerous felons who illegally possess firearms. Along with our law enforcement partners, we will continue our collaborative, focused efforts to target violent offenders and make our communities safer and stronger.”
“As U.S. Attorney Waldref said, felons and firearms don’t mix, especially when alcohol is added into the mix,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais. “We’re thankful that Yakima Police Department was able to apprehend Mr. Nunez quickly and remove him from the streets. Hopefully this sentence will give him time to think about his life choices and change them going forward.”
“Ensuring our community’s safety is our highest priority. The successful conviction of Mr. Nunez highlights the indispensable collaboration between the Yakima Police Department and our federal partners. These joint efforts underscore the commitment to safeguarding our community from violent offenders,” said Yakima Police Chief Matthew Murray.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Yakima Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas J. Hanlon.
