Austin Men Sentenced to 12 Years for Firearm Crimes After Standoffs

Two men, Yancy Hall from Shakopee, Minnesota, and Steven Moreno Briseno from Austin, Texas, were each sentenced to 12 years in prison for firearms-related offenses linked to violent incidents. Hall was convicted for discharging a firearm during a drug trafficking crime that injured a mosque congregant, violating his prohibition on firearm possession due to a prior criminal record. His arrest followed a raid that uncovered guns, drugs, and cash, with federal authorities emphasizing the importance of religious freedom and safety. Briseno's case stemmed from a 2023 standoff with Austin police after a domestic assault and barricade in his home, where he threatened officers while armed and under the influence of methamphetamine. Authorities found an arsenal of weapons and ammunition in Briseno's home, and his previous felony convictions, including burglary, influenced the severity of his sentence. Both prosecutions involved cooperation between local police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, underscoring ongoing efforts to combat gun violence and recidivism.