East Wenatchee Man Sentenced to 17.5 Years in Prison for Shooting and Trafficking Methamphetamine

Spokane, Washington - First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that on April 14, 2026, United States District Judge Rebecca Pennell sentenced Victor John Stevenson, age 37, of East Wenatchee, Washington, to 17.5 years of prison on drug trafficking and firearm charges. Judge Pennell also ordered that, following his sentence, Stevenson be on supervised release for 4 years. Stevenson was found guilty on November 13, 2025, and December 16, 2025, following two separate jury trials.

According to court documents and evidence presented at the trials, on September 4, 2024, Stevenson, despite being a convicted felon, illegally possessed a firearm and ammunition and shot at a vehicle in the parking lot of the Wenatchee Valley Mall in East Wenatchee. Stevenson was eventually connected to the shooting through various evidence, including DNA and ballistics evidence analyzed by the Washington State Patrol Crime Laboratory.

On September 26, 2024, Stevenson, who was serving a term of community custody supervision from a prior state assault conviction, reported to the Wenatchee Department of Corrections (DOC) office for a random drug test. After Stevenson tested positive, DOC officers were authorized to search inside his vehicle. After officers located suspected drugs and a firearm in a safe in Stevenson's vehicle, they contacted members of the Columbia River Drug Task Force, who had also been investigating the September 4th shooting. Investigators obtained a search warrant for the vehicle and subsequently recovered approximately 50 grams of methamphetamine, fentanyl pills, a firearm, and ammunition in Stevenson's vehicle.

DOC officers subsequently traveled to Stevenson's residence and located a pistol in the driveway. The pistol was analyzed by the Washington State Patrol laboratory and confirmed to be the weapon used in the September 4th shooting. Stevenson was then interviewed by members of the Columbia River Drug Task Force and admitted to the shooting. Investigators also located a phone call Stevenson made to an inmate at the Chelan County Jail in the days following the September 4th shooting. In the recorded call, Stevenson, apparently referencing the shooting, said "I don't think one was enough" and "I'm gonna have to get a little closer next time."

Stevenson was prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm and ammunition due to previous felony convictions. One of Stevenson's prior felony convictions related to a shooting he committed at the same location, the Wenatchee Valley Mall, in 2006.

"Victor Stevenson posed a tremendous danger to the people of the Wenatchee Valley and we appreciate the work of our law enforcement partners who work to arrest and prosecute those, like Mr. Stevenson, who repeatedly commit acts of violence on our streets," stated Serrano.

"Homeland Security Investigations is grateful for the support and collaboration of our partner agencies, which led to Mr. Stevenson's apprehension and conviction," said April Miller, Acting Special Agent in Charge, HSI Seattle. "This outcome enhances the safety of the Wenatchee Valley community. We hope this substantial sentence encourages Mr. Stevenson to reflect on his actions and pursue positive change."

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the Columbia River Drug Task Force. The Washington State Department of Corrections and the Washington State Patrol's Crime Laboratory provided invaluable assistance. This case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Nowles Heinrich and Law Clerk Jessica Vye.

2:24-CR-00147-RLP-1