Wapato Man Sentenced for Drive-by Shooting

Yakima, Washington - First Assistant United States Attorney Pete Serrano announced that Caludgrio Joseph Bianco, age 26, of Wapato, Washington, was sentenced to 40 months in prison to be followed by 3 years of supervised release by Chief United States District Judge Stanley A. Bastian in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. Bianco pled guilty to Drive-By Shooting pursuant to the Assimilative Crimes Act and to Possession of a Stolen Firearm on November 18, 2025.

According to court documents and information presented at sentencing, on March 15, 2025, Bianco, an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation, fired two shots at an occupied dwelling in Wapato as he drove by the home. The shooting was captured on neighbors' security cameras. This appeared to be a random act of violence as Bianco did not know the victim homeowners. Further investigation revealed that the firearm used by Bianco, which was recovered by law enforcement the day of the shooting, was stolen from a residence in Seattle, Washington approximately three months earlier. An indictment was handed down on May 13, 2025. In addition to his term of imprisonment, as a condition of his supervised release, Bianco was ordered to undergo a mental health evaluation and follow any recommended treatment.

"While the actions of law enforcement and this successful prosecution will not erase the fear and impact this event caused the victims, it is a step forward as this dangerous individual has been removed from the community," stated Serrano. "I am grateful for the swift actions by our law enforcement partners in investigating this case, seizing and removing a stolen firearm and getting justice for such a violent act."

"In a reckless and senseless act of violence, Mr. Bianco shot at the home of people he did not even know using a stolen firearm," said W. Mike Herrington, Special Agent in Charge of FBI Seattle. "It is incredibly fortunate no one was injured, especially given how close these shots came to the residents inside. The FBI, together with our partners, is committed to combatting violent crime on tribal lands and throughout the state of Washington."

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Yakama Nation Police Department and the Wapato Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael Murphy.