Detroit Felon Caught with Gun

A Detroit man has pleaded guilty to being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, sparking praise from the Charleston Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

Antonio Parnell, 42, from Detroit, Michigan, was found to have a firearm on April 14, 2018, during a violent altercation with two victims and officers from the Charleston Police Department. Parnell had been in a struggle with the officers when he threw the firearm.

The altercation led to Parnell’s arrest, and he has been in custody since that day. Parnell has three felony convictions under three different names, and faces up to 10 years in prison when he is sentenced on December 5, 2018, by United States District Judge John T. Copenhaver, Jr.

United States Attorney Mike Stuart praised the investigation by the Charleston Police Department and the ATF, stating, ‘Parnell was a threat to the safety of our citizens and our police officers. That’s why I am committed to locking up persons who ignore federal gun laws away from our communities.’

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and making neighborhoods safer. Attorney General Jeff Sessions reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals.

Parnell’s guilty plea was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Steve Loew. The case is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by convicted felons in possession of firearms, and the importance of effective law enforcement in keeping communities safe.

Parnell’s sentencing is set for December 5, 2018, and he faces up to 10 years in prison. The case is a success for the Charleston Police Department and the ATF, who worked together to bring Parnell to justice.