Amarillo Man Sentenced for Firearms Crimes
A federal court sentenced Austin Lee Dykgraaf to 11 years and three months in prison for firearms possession.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Drug Crime
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Austin Lee Dykgraaf received a sentence of 135 months in federal prison following his conviction for possessing stolen firearms. The sentence also includes three years of supervised release.
Why it matters
The sentencing concludes one aspect of a wider investigation into a series of firearms thefts occurring across Potter County. Authorities recovered stolen weapons linked to the defendant in both a vehicle and a storage unit.
Dykgraaf was sentenced to 135 months in prison and three years of supervised release. His co-defendants, Erminio Jesus Lujan and Zaneth Lane Montgomery, are scheduled for sentencing in October 2026.
The players
Austin Lee Dykgraaf
He is the defendant who was sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to firearms possession charges.
Potter County Sheriff's Office
This law enforcement agency led the investigation into the stolen weapons in the Amarillo area.
Erminio Jesus Lujan
He is a co-defendant in the firearms case who entered a plea agreement in May 2026.
Zaneth Lane Montgomery
He is a co-defendant who was arrested for allegedly selling stolen firearms.
The details
Dykgraaf was arrested in August 2025 following a Potter County Sheriff's Office investigation and traffic stop. He pleaded guilty in May 2026 to one count of being a convicted felon in possession of firearms, which was one of nine counts originally filed against him.
Timeline
July and August 2025: Weapons were stolen from vehicles in Potter County.
August 2025: Dykgraaf, Lujan, and Montgomery were arrested.
March 2026: Dykgraaf was originally indicted on nine firearms charges.
May 2026: The defendants filed plea agreements in federal court.
September 23, 2026: Austin Lee Dykgraaf was sentenced.
Legal Context
This case follows the established federal prosecution path for convicted felons found in possession of firearms, a core component of regional efforts to curb weapon thefts. These prosecutions are frequently utilized to address organized theft rings operating within local jurisdictions.
The recovery of stolen weapons in this case highlights ongoing efforts by the Potter County Sheriff's Office to secure the local area. Residents should remain vigilant regarding vehicle security to prevent further theft of personal property.
The takeaway
The successful prosecution of this case underscores the severe federal penalties associated with the illegal possession of firearms by convicted felons. Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity to law enforcement to assist in the recovery of stolen property.
What happens next
Erminio Jesus Lujan is scheduled for sentencing on October 1, 2026, and Zaneth Lane Montgomery is scheduled for sentencing on October 14, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on similar legal proceedings in the region, visit the Drug Crime section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NBC4 - Amarillo.
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