Austin felon sentenced to over a decade in prison after armed standoff with police at family home

Austin, Texas – A 38-year-old Austin man has been sentenced to 144 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. The sentencing was handed down in a federal courtroom in Austin, bringing closure to a tense and dangerous incident that unfolded in late 2023.

Barricaded in Family Home After Assault

According to court documents, Steven Moreno Briseno’s troubles reached a critical point on November 30, 2023. On that day, Austin Police officers responded to a 911 call reporting a domestic violence incident involving Briseno and his wife. When officers arrived, Briseno had already fled the scene on foot after physically assaulting his wife while allegedly under the influence of methamphetamine.

Briseno initially entered a vacant apartment nearby, but quickly returned to his family’s residence and barricaded himself inside. As officers tried to establish communication, Briseno escalated the situation. He reportedly made threatening comments about arming himself and warned officers to back away or he would start shooting. Police observed Briseno through a window assembling a tripod and mounting a long rifle on it, an act that heightened concern for a potential sniper situation.

Heavily Armed and Hostile

During the standoff, Briseno was seen smoking from what appeared to be a meth pipe while loading multiple weapons. Officers observed him handling rifles, handguns, and at least one shotgun. Briseno was also wearing a camouflage tactical vest and, at one point, exited the residence with a firearm in hand.

When the Austin Police Department’s SWAT team arrived on scene, they gave Briseno repeated commands to surrender. Despite the efforts to de-escalate the situation, Briseno fired at least one round from inside the house toward an unspecified outdoor location. Eventually, after sustained efforts via loudspeaker communication, Briseno surrendered without further violence.

Arsenal Discovered Inside Home

Once officers secured the home, they found an alarming stockpile of weapons and ammunition. Firearms, loaded magazines, and ammunition boxes were scattered throughout the home, including on the kitchen table and positioned near windows and entry points, suggesting a plan for a prolonged armed resistance.

Repeat Offender with Violent History

Briseno was not legally allowed to possess firearms due to his criminal history, which includes multiple felony convictions. Among them was a prior conviction for burglary on November 30, 2022. His status as a felon made it illegal for him to own or use any firearms.

Briseno pleaded guilty to the charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm on January 15, 2025. The court ultimately sentenced him to 144 months, or 12 years, in federal prison, emphasizing the serious nature of his actions and the threat posed to both his family and the community.