A Burnsville man has found himself behind bars for a staggering 70 months, all for possessing a firearm as a felon. Hashim Salah Haji, 25, was sentenced to this lengthy prison term, followed by three years of supervised release, for violating federal law prohibiting felons from possessing firearms or ammunition.
According to court documents, on July 13, 2019, officers with the Minneapolis Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle in which Haji was riding as a passenger. As the officers ordered him to step out, a stolen 9mm Springfield Armory model XD9 pistol fell out of his shorts. The officers also discovered a 50-round large capacity magazine and a 9mm Intratec “Tec 9” model AB10 pistol inside a backpack on the floor of the front passenger seat, between Haji’s legs.
Haji’s previous felony convictions in Dakota County further solidified his ineligibility to possess firearms or ammunition, making the discovery of these illicit items even more egregious. Given this, he pleaded guilty to one count of possessing a firearm as a felon on September 1, 2020.
The case against Haji was prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program. This initiative has been proven effective in reducing violent crime, with a collaborative approach that identifies and addresses pressing violent crime problems in the community.
Acting U.S. Attorney W. Anders Folk for the District of Minnesota made the announcement following U.S. District Judge Wilhelmina M. Wright’s sentencing of the defendant. This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Minneapolis Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin A. Wesley and David P. Steinkamp prosecuted the case, which has shed light on the importance of enforcing laws that protect society from individuals who possess firearms despite prior felony convictions. This serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of violating these laws and the efforts of law enforcement agencies to maintain public safety.
Haji’s sentencing marks a significant step in holding individuals accountable for their actions and emphasizing the importance of adhering to federal laws that safeguard society from potential harm.
Mandatory Facts:
Defendant: Hashim Salah Haji
Criminal Charge: Possessing a Firearm as a Felon
City and State: Burnsville, Minnesota
Exact Date: July 13, 2019 (crime date)
Sentence or Outcome: 70 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release
Dollar Amounts: None
Related Federal Cases
- David Oday Smith, Illegally Possessing a Loaded Firearm, DC, 2024 · Washington
- Percy Lee Strother Jr., Possession of Firearm by Felon, AL 2018 · Alaska
- Javier Juan Valtierra, Illegal Firearm Possession, Minnesota 2024 · Alaska
- Dante Tyus Guilty of Felon in Possession of a Firearm · Minnesota
- Derek Lamarr Gaines, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Maryland 2024 · Washington
Key Facts
- State: Minnesota
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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