Belizean man sentenced to 14 months for lying about immigration status while attempting to purchase firearm (DOJ)

RUTLAND - The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Vermont stated that on July 14, 2026, Reginald Adam Velasquez, age 34, a citizen of Belize, was sentenced by United States District Judge Mary Kay Lanthier to a term of 14 months' imprisonment. Velasquez previously pleaded guilty to lying in connection with the attempted purchase of a firearm.

According to court records, Velasquez illegally entered the United States in 2022. After his illegal entry, Velasquez was paroled into the United States, but in early 2025, Velasquez failed to comply with the terms of his parole and his immigration proceedings were terminated. Approximately nine months later, in late 2025, Velasquez attempted to purchase a firearm from a federal firearms licensee in Vermont. During the attempted purchase, Velasquez filled out an ATF Form 4473 on which he knowingly lied about his immigration status. After Velasquez was arrested, additional investigation revealed that, during the Summer and Fall of 2025, Velasquez was engaged in drug dealing in Vermont, including trading a firearm for drugs.

First Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan A. Ophardt commended the collaborative investigatory efforts of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Border Patrol, and Homeland Security Investigations.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine Flynn. Velasquez was represented by Assistant Federal Public Defender Emily Kenyon.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.