A tense restaurant confrontation on East Bluff Street has ended with a 45-year prison sentence for Fort Worth resident Angel Villareal, after a Tarrant County jury found him guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon.
Prosecutors said the conviction stems from a Nov. 5, 2024, incident at a restaurant in the 1300 block of E. Bluff Street, where Villareal entered the business armed and later fired a single shot outside the building.
Restaurant Confrontation And Guilty Verdict
According to the Tarrant County District Attorney's Office on X, Villareal walked into the restaurant carrying a gun, then “fired his gun once outside the restaurant” before returning to “attempt to threaten and attack” family members inside.
Thanks to the Fort Worth and Midland Police Departments, and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, for their work on this case and for their commitment to keeping our community safe. pic.twitter.com/1I02px37lx
— Tarrant County DA (@TarrantCountyDA) December 5, 2025
Family members, along with a dog, chased him out of the business, the DA's post, and an attached transcript states. A Tarrant County jury later found Villareal guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon in connection with the confrontation.
Sentencing followed this week, with a judge imposing a 45-year prison term. In its public statement, the DA's office thanked the Fort Worth and Midland Police Departments and the Texas Department of Criminal Justice “for their work on this case and for their commitment to keeping our community safe.” The office also credited assistant district attorneys Kimberly Barragon and Mary Martin, investigator Josh Neiswender and victim coordinator Imelda Lopez for their roles in the prosecution.
Legal Context
Under Texas law, the offense is codified at Texas Penal Code a746.04 and is ordinarily charged as a felony, with statutory penalties for unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon generally falling within a third-degree felony range. The Texas Legislature outlines the circumstances that make possession unlawful.
The 45-year sentence in Villareal's case is longer than that ordinary range, which suggests sentence enhancements or additional counts, details that would be reflected in the court records.
Where To Find More
The DA's office said the sentence will be carried out in the state prison system and again publicly thanked local and state partners for their work on the case.
Court dockets and filings in the matter are public. Members of the public who want to review case documents can search the Tarrant County District Clerk's online portal via the Tarrant County District Clerk.
