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Bismarck Man Fires 14 Rounds in Marijuana Debt Dispute
Bismarck, ND – In a shocking display of violence, Vernon Valentino Pook Jr. was sentenced to 10 years in prison for firing 14 rounds from a Springfield XD 9mm handgun into an occupied residence on Center Street, Bismarck, ND and vehicles parked outside in the early morning hours of June 5, 2016.
The motive behind this heinous crime was a disputed debt of an ounce of marihuana. Pook Jr. believed the marihuana was owed to him, but the occupants of the residence disagreed. The dispute turned deadly when Pook Jr. opened fire on the residence and vehicles, putting the lives of multiple people at risk.
U.S. Attorney Christopher C. Myers announced that Pook Jr. was sentenced before U.S. District Judge Daniel L. Hovland to serve 10 years in prison. Judge Hovland also sentenced Pook Jr. to five years of supervised release and ordered him to pay a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victims Fund.
The Bismarck Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case, which was prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Dawn Deitz.
This case highlights the dangers of gun violence and the importance of resolving disputes peacefully. The occupants of the residence were lucky to have escaped with their lives, and Pook Jr.’s sentence serves as a warning to others who would resort to violence in similar situations.
The sentence was handed down on August 28, 2017, bringing an end to a long and complicated case. Pook Jr.’s actions will have far-reaching consequences, and his victims will never forget the trauma they endured on that fateful night.
The case is a sobering reminder of the devastating effects of gun violence and the importance of prioritizing public safety. The people of Bismarck can rest easier knowing that Pook Jr. will be behind bars for the next decade.
Key Facts
- State: North Dakota
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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