Gunman Sentenced To 16 Years In Federal Prison For Drive-By Shooting On Southern Ute Indian Reservation

DURANGO – United States Attorney Jason R. Dunn announced that Antonio Castro, age 24, of Ignacio, Colorado, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Robert E. Blackburn to serve 16 years (192 months) in federal prison, followed by 3 years on supervised release, for assault with the intent to commit murder and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence.  Castro appeared at the sentencing hearing in custody, and was remanded at its conclusion.

Castro was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 9, 2018, on numerous federal felonies related to a drive-by shooting on June 6, 2018 near Ignacio, Colorado, on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation.  According to facts presented during sentencing, Castro was in the driver seat of a van when he fired six shots from a handgun at an unarmed man standing in the street.  Five of the six shots missed, but one shot struck the man’s elbow, causing significant injuries.  As the victim lay bleeding in the street, Castro sped away in the van and later hid in the shower of a nearby friend’s house before being apprehended by officers with the Southern Ute Police Department.  At the time of the shooting, Castro was on parole from a state felony burglary conviction out of Alamosa County, Colorado.

“Antonio Castro attempted to kill an unarmed man and flee the scene of the crime,” said U.S. Attorney Jason Dunn.  “Thanks to the quick work of our tribal law enforcement partners and prosecutors from my office, Castro will spend significant time in federal prison.”

"Today's sentencing should send a strong message that the FBI will hold those who threaten the safety of our communities accountable for their actions," said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Dean Phillips. "Thanks to the efforts of our investigators and law enforcement partners, Antonio Castro will now face the consequences of his actions."

This case were investigated by the Southern Ute Police Department, with assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation.  The defendant was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeff Graves.