Deandre Franklin, Felon in Possession of Firearms, Minnesota 2012

MINNEAPOLIS – A 21-year-old Champlin felon has been sentenced to 60 months in federal prison for possessing firearms, in a case that highlights the ongoing threat of gun violence in our communities.

Deandre Franklin, a 21-year-old resident of Champlin, was sentenced by United States District Court Chief Judge Michael J. Davis for one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Franklin was indicted on July 23, 2012, and pleaded guilty on November 13, 2012.

According to court documents, on January 2, 2012, Franklin traveled with two women to Bill’s Gun Shop in Robbinsdale, where they purchased .44-caliber ammunition, nine-millimeter ammunition, and ammunition magazines. Later that same day, Minneapolis police stopped their car in north Minneapolis and found two firearms in the vehicle, a Glock nine-millimeter pistol and a Charter Arms, .44-caliber revolver.

One of the guns was found on Franklin and the other was discovered under his seat. This discovery led to Franklin’s indictment and eventual guilty plea. Because he is a felon, Franklin is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms at any time.

Franklin’s previous conviction for second-degree drug possession in Hennepin County in 2011 made him subject to this federal law. The case against Franklin was the result of an investigation conducted by the Safe Streets Task Force, a FBI-sponsored task force that focuses on combating violent street crime as well as gang and drug trafficking offenses.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LeeAnn K. Bell. As this case demonstrates, the consequences of violating federal firearms laws can be severe, and we will continue to work tirelessly to protect our communities from the threat of gun violence.

Franklin’s sentence serves as a reminder that our law enforcement agencies will not tolerate the possession of firearms by individuals who are prohibited from doing so. We urge all residents to report any suspicious activity to the authorities, and to remain vigilant in their efforts to prevent gun violence in our communities.

This case is a stark reminder of the dangers of gun violence and the importance of our efforts to prevent it. We will continue to work closely with our law enforcement partners to ensure that those who threaten our communities are brought to justice.

The public should be assured that law enforcement agencies will continue to work diligently to prevent gun violence and to hold accountable those who engage in such activities.

Related Federal Cases