North Dakota Man Receives Nearly 4 Years on Weapons Charge

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A North Dakota man has been sentenced to nearly four years in prison on an illegal weapons charge.

Antonio Vela, of Williston, was charged in federal court with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He pleaded guilty in January.

Authorities say police found a pistol in the trunk of Vela's car after he was stopped for a traffic violation in September 2011.

The 32-year-old Vela was prohibited from having the weapon because of his prior convictions in Texas for possession of a controlled substance in July 2007 and burglary in March 2009.

U.S. District Judge Daniel Hovland sentenced Vela to 43 months in prison.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.

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