ST. PAUL, MN – Damien Kent Hallmon, 40, of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, is facing federal sentencing after a jury convicted him of illegally possessing ammunition, a crime carrying significant penalties for a convicted felon. The verdict came after a three-day trial before Judge Kate M. Menendez in U.S. District Court.
The case unfolded after a Bloomington police officer pulled Hallmon over on August 28, 2022, for a string of traffic violations. The officer detected signs of marijuana use, prompting a search of the vehicle. The search turned up a 9mm firearm – a Polymer 80, commonly known as a “ghost gun” or “privately made firearm” – with a loaded magazine inside Hallmon’s girlfriend’s purse. Crucially, the weapon lacked a serial number.
Federal law explicitly prohibits individuals with prior felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition. Hallmon’s criminal history made him ineligible to legally own either. The government successfully argued that Hallmon knowingly violated this prohibition, presenting evidence that tied him to the illegal ammunition.
The investigation, a collaborative effort between the Bloomington Police Department, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Science Lab, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), focused on establishing Hallmon’s connection to the firearm and ammunition. The recovery of the ‘ghost gun’ adds another layer to the case, raising concerns about the increasing prevalence of untraceable firearms on the streets.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary S. Riverso and Ruth S. Shnider prosecuted the case, successfully demonstrating Hallmon’s guilt to the jury. While a sentencing date has not yet been set, Hallmon now faces potential imprisonment for possessing ammunition as a felon. The length of the sentence will depend on various factors, including his prior criminal record.
The case serves as a stark reminder that federal authorities are actively pursuing individuals who illegally possess firearms and ammunition, particularly those with prior convictions. The ATF’s involvement underscores the agency’s commitment to curbing gun violence and holding offenders accountable, even when dealing with untraceable ‘ghost guns’ like the one recovered in this case. U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger announced the conviction.
Related Federal Cases
- Damien Hallmon, Ammo Possession, St. Paul MN, 2024 · Minnesota
- Justin Cutbank, Illegal Firearm Possession, Minnesota 2024 · Minnesota
- Lewis Byrd, Illegal Gun Possession, Minnesota 2023 · Minnesota
- Cortez Ward, Illegal Ammo Possession, Minneapolis MN, 2023 · Minnesota
- Justin Cutbank, Illegal Firearm Possession, Minnesota 2023 · Minnesota
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