Evergreen Reporter

A federal jury in San Antonio has found Dante Delray Vecera guilty of firearm possession, a charge stemming from an incident where he was discovered unresponsive in a vehicle blocking traffic. Officers responding to the scene found a bag with white powder, a marijuana cigarette, and suspected black tar heroin inside the car. Concerned about a possible overdose, officers administered Narcan to Vecera.

While searching for identification, police discovered an unholstered pistol in his pants pocket. Upon regaining consciousness, Vecera refused sobriety tests and was subsequently arrested after receiving medical clearance.

Vecera has previous convictions for violent felonies, including burglary and coercion in Nevada and violation of a protective order and assault in Texas. He now faces up to 15 years in federal prison and a potential $250,000 fine.

The case was announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Margaret Leachman for the Western District of Texas. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, along with local police departments from San Antonio and Castle Hills, conducted the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karina O’Daniel and Amy Hail are prosecuting.

This case is part of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) Initiative. Enacted initially in 1994 under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act, VAWA focuses on enhancing law enforcement responses to crimes such as domestic violence and sexual assault. It has been reauthorized multiple times since its inception, expanding its scope and funding.