CUSICK, WA – Aaron Joseph Cunningham, 47, of Cusick, Washington, is headed to federal prison after a jury found him guilty of being a felon in possession of firearms and making credible threats against a local family. U.S. Senior District Judge Rosanna Malouf Peterson sentenced Cunningham to 41 months behind bars, followed by three years of supervised release.
The case began unfolding on October 24, 2021, when law enforcement stopped Cunningham driving a vehicle belonging to his deceased brother – a car he’d claimed as his own. He was arrested on an outstanding Department of Corrections warrant. The vehicle was impounded and slated for auction, but a routine inventory by tow employees uncovered a far more sinister situation.
Hidden inside the glove box were two loaded, chambered Glock firearms. The discovery triggered an investigation that revealed Cunningham hadn’t just illegally possessed the weapons; he’d used them to terrorize a family residing on his brother’s property. In the early hours of October 18th, Cunningham confronted the family, accusing them of squatting. Armed with the two Glock-style pistols, he unleashed a chilling threat: “I will kill you all.”
“Mr. Cunningham illegally possessed loaded firearms and used them in an attempt to frighten and threaten a family on their own property,” stated United States Attorney Vanessa Waldref. “This type of crime is not just a threat to people’s safety, it is a threat to their freedom to go about their daily lives.” The prosecution successfully argued that Cunningham’s actions went beyond simple possession, demonstrating a clear intent to intimidate and harm.
ATF Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais echoed that sentiment, stating, “Mr. Cunningham was prohibited from possessing firearms yet used them as a means to threaten his family.” The case underscores the ATF’s focus on preventing prohibited individuals from obtaining and using firearms. The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through targeted enforcement and community partnerships. Assistant United States Attorney David Herzog led the prosecution, securing a conviction that sends a clear message: illegally possessing firearms and threatening violence will not be tolerated. The 41-month sentence serves as a stark warning to others considering similar actions in Eastern Washington and beyond.
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