A Fort Washakie man was sentenced to prison this week in the shooting his cousin late last year.
Victor Ynostrosa, 21, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Scott W. Skadahl to two and one-half years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release with special conditions, after being convictd of assaulting an individual with a firearm, resulting in serious bodily injury.
Ynostrosa was also ordered to pay $26,557.28 in restitution, along with a $100 special assessment fee.
“These types of cases must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of law to provide justice for the victim and reassure the public that we hold any person who risks the lives of others accountable,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Bob Murray. “This was an unfortunate event but one that was preventable. It is never a good idea to mix alcohol and firearms.”
On Dec. 10, 2020, a U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs officer was dispatched to a reported shooting in Fort Washakie.
Upon arrival, the officer witnessed a young man with a bullet wound, described to be Ynostrosa’s cousin.
According to reports, after a night of heavy drinking with his sister and cousin, Ynostrosa began arguing with the other two and an altercation ensued.
Ynostrosa brandished a .22 caliber firearm and shot his cousin in the upper torso. The bullet missed the man’s heart but hit his aorta. He was taken to Wyoming Medical Center with potentially life-threatening injuries where he underwent surgery.
Ynostrosa was located a short time later and arrested.
“Mr. Ynostrosa’s use of a weapon while intoxicated seriously endangered the life of another individual and the community at large. Today’s sentence sends a message that the FBI and our federal, tribal and local partners will serve justice on those who choose to put the lives of our citizens at risk,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Michael Schneider. “FBI Denver thanks the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Wind River Police Department, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for their diligence in this investigation.”