Eric Nathan Deryke, Felon in Possession, Michigan 2022

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – A local man has been charged with two counts of felon in possession of a firearm, according to a superseding indictment returned by a grand jury in the Western District of Michigan.

Eric Nathan Deryke, 34, of Paw Paw, Michigan, is accused of possessing firearms as a convicted felon. The original indictment charged Deryke with one count for Felon in Possession of a Firearm on April 16, 2022. The superseding indictment adds a Felon in Possession of a Firearm charge after Deryke possessed a different firearm on July 25, 2023.

“Gun violence is an epidemic across America and here in Michigan that inflicts immense trauma on communities when guns end up in the wrong hands,” said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. “That’s why my office is committed to getting illegal guns off of the streets and out of the hands of felons.”

The maximum statutory penalty for count one is 10 years in prison, and 15 years imprisonment for count two. Deryke is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LaToyia T. Carpenter and was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Michigan State Police, the Paw Paw Police Department, and the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office.

“The FBI is committed to leveraging its assets in collaboration with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe from gun violence,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. “We are proud to work cooperatively to stop felons from illegally possessing firearms. We also need the public’s assistance to help us in this mission. Please come forward if you believe you have any information related to violent crimes as outlined in this case by contacting 1-800-CALLFBI (1-800-225-5324) or submitting tips online to http://tips.fbi.gov.”

Paw Paw Police Interim Police Chief Eric Rottman noted that small-town America is not immune to the violence that plagues some of the country’s big cities. “Unfortunately, small town America is not immune to the violence that plagues some of our big cities. That violence came to the town of Paw Paw on April 16, 2022, when a shooting took place where Deryke has been charged with Felon in Possession of a Firearm and a second individual has also been charged with their involvement,” Rottman said. “With our strong working relationship with neighboring agencies, we will continue to combat violent crime in our area that effects the way of life of our citizens. It is our utmost goal to ensure the safety and well-being of our community.”

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