Spokane, Washington – Vanessa R. Waldref, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Reily William Arambul, age 28, was sentenced after pleading guilty to Felon in Possession of a Firearm. United States District Judge Mary K. Dimke imposed a sentence of 70 months imprisonment to be followed by 3 years of supervised release.
According to court documents and information disclosed at sentencing, on May 9, 2023, Armbul met a man at a friend’s house, who he asked for a ride to an apartment complex near West 5th Avenue in Spokane. When they arrived, Arambul walked up to the apartment complex. The driver waited in the vehicle. While outside the vehicle, Arambul engaged in a verbal confrontation with individuals at the apartment complex. During this verbal confrontation, a residence of the complex call 911 to report disturbance and that an individual, later identified as Arambul, was in possession of a weapon.
As officers with the Spokane Police Department arrived to Arambul’s location, they observed Arambul run back to the truck in which he arrived, and enter the passenger seat. SPD officers ordered the men in the truck to show their hands. The driver put his hands in the air, but Arambul refused. Instead, Arambul attempted to flee law enforcement, reached over from the passenger seat, put the truck in reverse, pressed the gas and began to steer the truck westbound on 5th Avenue. After a short distance, however, the driver managed to press the brakes and stop the truck. SPD then boxed the truck in.
After the truck was boxed in, Arambul got out and began running from officers. He was arrested a short distance away. Officers searched Arambul and found two knives, a black leather holster, a bag of syringes, and a small red bag with approximately 60 fentanyl pills inside. Officers also found a black and silver semi-automatic pistol belonging to the defendant lying the grass nearby.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Dimke noted Arambul’s choice to pull out a firearm put many people, including law enforcement and members of the community, at risk.
“Mr. Arambul put the community in danger by recklessly taking control of a vehicle in an attempt to escape from the police – all while armed with an illegal firearm. Thankfully, he did not get far, and no one was hurt,” stated U.S. Attorney Waldref. “I am grateful to the brave men and women in law enforcement who place their safety at risk every day to protect our community.”
“As a convicted felon, Mr. Arambul knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms.” said Richard A. Collodi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. “Not only did he possess a gun, he continued to disregard the law and engaged in other criminal activity including possessing dangerous weapons and illegal drugs while fleeing from law enforcement. Fortunately, no one was injured due to the swift actions taken by the Spokane Police. The FBI relies on partnerships like these as we work to protect the citizens of Washington state.”
“Today’s sentencing serves as a reminder that a convicted felon who illegally possesses a firearm will be held accountable. Mr. Arambul showed no regard for community members or police officers during this incident which highlights the dangers our officers increasingly face when those involved in criminal activity are armed and refuse to comply with police when contacted,” stated Interim Spokane Police Chief Justin Lundgren. “The Spokane Police Department appreciates the collaboration with our federal partners that helps keep the Spokane community safe and armed felons out of our neighborhoods. “
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Spokane Police Department. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick Cashman.
