Cusick Man Sentenced to 41 Months for Armed Threats and Illegal Gun Possession

Cusick Man Sentenced to 41 Months for Armed Threats and Illegal Gun Possession

A 47-year-old Cusick man, Aaron Joseph Cunningham, has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Cunningham was also sentenced to three years of federal supervision after his release from prison.

A jury convicted Cunningham on October 19, 2023, following a trial in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington. Senior U.S. District Judge Rosanna Malouf Peterson handed down the sentence on February 22, 2024.

Cunningham was arrested on October 24, 2021, on a Department of Corrections warrant while driving a car belonging to his deceased brother. During an inventory of the car, police found two loaded Glock firearms in the glove compartment. The car was later towed and set for auction.

Further investigation revealed that Cunningham had made repeated threats to a family living on his deceased brother’s property. On October 18, 2021, Cunningham arrived at the property armed with two Glock-style firearms and accused the family of being squatters. Before leaving, he yelled, “I will kill you all.”

U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref stated, “Mr. Cunningham illegally possessed loaded firearms and used them to threaten a family on their own property. This type of crime is a threat to people’s safety and freedom.” ATF Seattle Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais added, “Mr. Cunningham was prohibited from possessing firearms, yet used them to threaten his family. This sentence is well deserved and should send a message to anyone who would use firearms in this manner.”

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime by partnering with local law enforcement and prevention programs. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pend Oreille County Sheriff’s Office investigated the case, while Assistant U.S. Attorney David Herzog prosecuted it.

Aaron Joseph Cunningham, 47, of Cusick, Washington, has been sentenced to 41 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. He was also sentenced to three years of federal supervision after his release from prison. The case highlights the dangers of armed threats and the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions.

The sentence is a result of a thorough investigation by law enforcement and a successful prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office. It serves as a reminder that the use of firearms to threaten and intimidate others will not be tolerated and will be met with severe consequences.