Violent Repeat Offender Sentenced to 10 Years in Federal Prison

Richland, Washington — First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on October 29, 2026, Victor Amezcua-Garcia, age 31, was sentenced by District Court Judge Mary K. Dimke to 120 months of incarceration followed by 3 years of supervised release stemming from his conviction for Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

Court documents show Victor Amezcua-Garcia, a longtime Sureno gang member in the Tri-Cities area was alleged to have shot a woman in Pasco, Washington. Pasco Police Department Detectives worked tirelessly to locate Amezcua-Garcia. Detectives ultimately texted him pretending to be rival gang members and set up a location for them to engage in a fight to lure him out of hiding. Amezcua-Garica arrived at that location in a stolen vehicle and when Pasco PD attempted to conduct a traffic stop in a marked patrol vehicle, Amezcua-Garcia fled at a high rates of speed, traveling through multiple residential areas, and placing the community at risk. The Pasco PD Street Crimes Unit performed a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle. Despite the damage to Amezcua-Garcia’s vehicle, he attempted to drive away; however, he was quickly boxed in by additional Pasco PD units. Amezcua-Garica still did not give up and continued to attempt to elude, revving the engine to break the vehicle free. Eventually he gave up. Two firearms were in the vehicle; Amezcua-Garcia, as a previously convicted felon, cannot lawfully possess a firearm.

In imposing sentence, Judge Dimke stated that Amezcua-Garcia is a “significant danger” to the community and is on a path to kill someone. Judge Dimke noted Amezcua-Garcia’s consistent criminal history that started when he was 12. The Judge specifically noted Amezcua-Garica was convicted of a Drive By Shooting at the ages of 15 and 18. When he was 22, he was convicted of Criminal Mischief where he was armed and stole cell phones from children. The Judge noted that he was convicted of Unlawful of a Firearm in 2017, Assault 2 in 2018 for shooting someone in a local motel room, and most recently had been convicted of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm when he was found passed out in the driver’s seat of his vehicle with the vehicle in gear. Amezcua-Garica was released for his last conviction on September 24, 2024, and committed the most recent shooting a mere 4 months later in January 2025.

During sentencing, Amezcua-Garica told the Court that he was a gang “drop out;” however, Judge Dimke was not persuaded, finding that he had showed up with a firearm to a local park looking for a rival gang member, which was wholly inconsistent with being a “drop out.”

The Court found that while this offense typically has a lower sentence, Amezcua-Garcia’s “terrifying behavior,” the fact he had already shot two people, and showed up armed to fight a gang rival warranted a more significant sentence.

“The successful prosecution of Amezcua-Garcia underscores my office’s unwavering commitment to public safety, which will always be our primary focus,” stated Serrano. “Amezcua-Garcia repeatedly engaged in violent criminal conduct, willfully evaded law enforcement, and unlawfully armed himself again, posing a grave threat to our community. Today’s sentence reaffirms that those who defy the law and endanger others will be brought to justice through the full measure of the legal system.”

“Persistent, violent criminal behavior will not be tolerated,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais, Seattle Field Division. “The dangerousness of the defendant’s sustained pattern of violence cannot be overstated. This lengthy sentence ensures that a prolific and predatory offender will no longer have the opportunity to threaten the safety of our community. Protecting the public and holding violent offenders accountable remain ATF’s highest priorities.

“Pasco Police Department detectives played a key role in locating and apprehending Amezcua-Garcia,” stated Captain Bill Parramore with the Pasco Police Department. “Their persistence, investigative efforts, and coordinated response helped remove a dangerous repeat offender from the community. This case demonstrates our continued commitment to holding violent offenders accountable and keeping our community safe. We also want to thank the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) for their partnership and efforts in the successful prosecution of this violent offender.”

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Pasco Police Department.

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