John Carl Pape, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Minnesota 2012

Grimy Times Exclusive: Felon Sentenced for Gun Possession

MINNEAPOLIS—A 49-year-old felon from the northern Minnesota community of Virginia has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for possession of a .38-caliber revolver.

John Carl Pape was sentenced by United States District Court Judge Patrick J. Schiltz after admitting to possessing the Smith & Wesson, five-shot revolver on May 6, 2012.

Pape was indicted on October 15, 2012, and pleaded guilty on January 31, 2013. In his plea agreement, he admitted possessing the gun during a church parking lot vandalism incident in Eveleth, Minnesota.

According to the investigation, police received a complaint that two vehicles had been vandalized in the church parking lot, with one of the victims stating that her purse was stolen, containing the gun and credit cards among other items.

Pape attempted to make purchases and withdrawals with the victim’s stolen credit card, which led authorities to question him. A search warrant was executed at Pape’s residence, where officers seized items linked to the theft, including the gun.

Pape’s prior convictions include third-degree burglary (1991 and 2004), fifth-degree possession of drugs (2007 and 2008), and fifth-degree sale of marijuana (1998), making him subject to the federal Armed Career Criminal Act. This act mandates a minimum of 15 years in federal prison.

The case was the result of an investigation by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Hollenhorst.

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