A 23-year-old Anchorage man, Jahkeel Joseph, has been sentenced to 16 months in prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced the sentencing, which was handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess.
Joseph pleaded guilty on Oct. 11, 2016, to a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1), which prohibits felons from possessing firearms. The charges stemmed from an incident on Feb. 2, 2016, in which a neighbor reported a loud “bang” in the apartment next door, followed by the discovery of shotgun holes in the walls of his kitchen.
According to the neighbor, Joseph and the female occupant of the next-door apartment had been arguing for about an hour before the “bang.” When police responded to the scene, they encountered Joseph driving away from the apartment complex. He failed to stop at a stop sign and nearly collided with the police cruisers, leading to a brief chase before he finally pulled over.
Upon searching Joseph’s vehicle, police found a shotgun with one spent round in the chamber and five rounds in the side saddle. A field sobriety test was also administered. At sentencing, Judge Burgess noted the “incredibly serious” nature of Joseph’s conduct, as well as his prior history with guns, including a 2014 incident in which he shot another person in the face during a fight.
“He wasn’t supposed to have a gun in the first place,” said Judge Burgess. “He is making a bad choice that could have significant consequences for him and others around him.” The judge also stated that the 16-month sentence was intended to send a message to Joseph that he needs to “grow up” and understand that there are consequences to his actions.
The case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Anchorage Police Department, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Reardon prosecuting the case. In addition to the 16-month prison sentence, Joseph will also serve three years of supervised release.
The sentencing of Jahkeel Joseph serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of felons possessing firearms. The incident highlights the importance of law enforcement efforts to prevent and investigate gun crimes, and the need for individuals to make responsible choices and respect the law.
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