SPOKANE, Wash. – The United States Attorney Office of Eastern Washington announced that 85 illegal firearm offenders were prosecuted in 2023, leading to the seizure and forfeiture of 163 illegally owned, possessed, used or obtained firearms.
According to Eastern District of Washington Attorney Vanessa Waldref, these forfeited firearms are given to the government for disposal or, if stolen, are potentially returned to the rightful owners.
“The 85 firearm offenders my office prosecuted in 2023 had access to illegal firearms and many demonstrated an inclination for violence. These prosecutions are a stark reminder of the nexus of firearms and violent crimes,” Waldref said. “Our collaborative law enforcement partnerships at the federal, state, local and tribal level have a significant impact in removing illegal firearms off our streets, reducing violent crime and making our communities safer.”
According to a release from the Attorney’s Office, all 85 defendants were charged with various federal firearm offenses, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, assault with a deadly weapon on a federal law enforcement officer, possession of a firearm and ammunition by a person convicted of domestic violence, first-degree murder and attempted murder of a federal officer.
The majority of these cases were prosecuted under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) program, which is a federal, state, and local law enforcement collaboration that works to identify, investigate, and prosecute individuals responsible for violent crimes in Eastern Washington.
“The FBI works alongside our law enforcement partners to keep our communities and neighborhoods safe.” said Richard Collodi, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Seattle field office. “The FBI’s goal is to build cases which disrupt and dismantle the capabilities of criminal enterprises, putting the worst offenders behind bars to keep communities safer. The impact of firearms violations highlighted from 2023 represent a step forward in achieving that aim. These results would not be possible with the strong partnerships within the public safety community.”
The link between firearms and drug trafficking demonstrates the danger of violence at the hands drug trafficking organizations, according to David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge at the DEA Seattle Field Division.
“[The] DEA worked diligently with the United States Attorney’s Office and with our Federal, state, local, and tribal partners to keep our communities safe from drug-fueled violence, as these seizures prove.”
Beyond fighting drug trafficking, enforcing federal firearm prohibitions is crucial in combating domestic violence. According to the release, domestic violence abusers are five times more likely to kill their partners if they have access to a gun. They also commonly use firearms to inflict fear, intimidation, and coercive control on their victims.
People with domestic violence misdemeanor and felony convictions in addition to those subject to domestic violence protective orders are prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms under federal law.
Attorney Waldref’s Safe Homes, Safe Community Initiative that was passed in Oct. 2022 helps to prevent domestic violence homicides and prevent previously convicted abusers from having access to firearms.
“Everyone deserves to live in a safe home free of domestic violence,” said U.S. Attorney Waldref. “Federal prosecutors witness the devastating impacts of domestic violence on the lives of victims and their families, who may endure long-term trauma and are at increased risk for returning to abusive relationships. Our Safe Homes, Safe Community initiative focuses on victim safety, law enforcement safety and community safety. Here in the Eastern District of Washington, my Office is committed to use all the tools at our disposal—including leveraging our partnerships with local law enforcement and local prosecutors—to ensure victims have a viable path to safety and justice.”
According to ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais, the ATF supports the second Amendment right to bear arms, but measures need to be taken to ensure community safety.
“When people commit crimes with firearms, or possess illegal firearms, ATF is at the forefront of ensuring these people are investigated and referred for prosecution, making our communities safer and protecting the rights of law-abiding citizens.”
