MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Ember Shawndale White, 23, of St. Paul, is headed to federal prison for 70 months after admitting to illegally possessing a handgun. The sentence, handed down today by U.S. District Court Judge Joan N. Ericksen, underscores the relentless pursuit of those who flout gun laws while already burdened by felony convictions.
The case began unfolding on July 15, 2021, when St. Paul police responded to reports of gunfire near the intersection of Rice and Winnipeg Streets. Surveillance footage quickly identified White as a central figure, seen fleeing the scene with a firearm and jumping into a white Volkswagen Jetta. A week later, on July 23, 2021, officers located White in the same vehicle, still in possession of a Beretta APX 9x19mm pistol.
White’s criminal history disqualifies him from legally owning any firearms. Court records reveal multiple prior felony convictions spanning Ramsey, Hennepin, and Dakota Counties. Federal law is clear: a convicted felon is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition – a rule White blatantly disregarded. This wasn’t a first offense, but a calculated risk taken by a repeat offender.
After being apprehended, White eventually pleaded guilty on November 13, 2023, to one count of possessing a firearm as a felon. The guilty plea brought a swift, if delayed, resolution to the case, culminating in today’s sentencing. The 70-month prison term will be followed by three years of supervised release, providing a period of monitoring after his release.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the St. Paul Police Department. The ATF’s expertise in firearms tracing and ballistics, combined with the local knowledge of the St. Paul PD, proved crucial in building a solid case against White. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew S. Ebert led the prosecution, securing the conviction and the substantial prison sentence.
This case serves as a stark warning to others contemplating similar actions. U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger’s office remains committed to aggressively prosecuting those who illegally possess firearms, especially individuals with prior felony convictions. The streets of St. Paul – and every city in this nation – are safer when dangerous weapons are kept out of the hands of those who would misuse them.
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- Ember White, Illegal Firearm Possession, St. Paul MN, 2023 · Minnesota
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