Brandwein Couple, Firearms Tampering, Missouri 2013

Jefferson City Couple Sentenced for Illegal Firearms, Tampering with Evidence

A husband and wife duo from Jefferson City, Missouri, have been sentenced for their involvement in illegal firearms possession and tampering with evidence. Andrew David Brandwein, 39, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison without parole, the maximum penalty for violating the federal statute.

Brandwein was found guilty of being a felon in possession of firearms on August 14, 2013. Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Brandwein was in possession of six firearms on January 8, 2011. The firearms included a Marlin .22 magnum caliber rifle, a Harrington and Richardson .223-caliber rifle, a Weatherby .300 SBY Mag. rifle, a New England Firearms 10-gauge shotgun, a Rossi .30-06 Springfield rifle, and a Harrington and Richardson .410 shotgun.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Brandwein has three prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance and prior felony convictions for attempting to manufacture a controlled substance, possession of a precursor drug with the intent to manufacture methamphetamine, unlawful possession of a concealable firearm, and the distribution, delivery, sale, or manufacture of a controlled substance.

His wife, Debra Louise Brandwein, 55, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison without parole. Debra Brandwein pleaded guilty on August 9, 2013, to tampering with evidence. She admitted that she cleaned two jars that contained methamphetamine in order to protect her husband from prosecution.

The case began when law enforcement officers were dispatched to the Brandwein residence on January 8, 2011, after a large barn on the property caught on fire. Officers knocked on the door but received no response. After they used the keys from a truck parked near the barn to enter the house, Andrew Brandwein came out of the back bedroom, appearing disoriented and confused. Debra Brandwein arrived at the residence a short time later.

While in the residence, officers found five firearms sitting on the floor next to a television stand. There was also a loaded Harrington and Richardson .223 rifle lying on the ground next to the truck near the barn. Andrew Brandwein was arrested, and officers found several .223 shells and $2,458 in his pants pockets.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Lynn and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven Berry. It was investigated by the Cole County, Mo., Sheriff's Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Osage Fire Protection District, MUSTANG, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/jefferson-city-couple-sentenced-illegal-firearms-tampering-evidence