MINNEAPOLIS, MN – John Jarrod Jones, 44, of Cass County, Minnesota, has admitted to possessing an illegal, unregistered short-barreled shotgun, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday. The weapon was discovered stashed behind a garbage can in a restroom at the Cedar Lakes Casino and Hotel on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation in July 2021.
According to court documents, Jones wasn’t just enjoying a night at the casino. He secreted the 12-gauge shotgun, along with a bag of shells and a knife, in the restroom, attempting to conceal the prohibited weapon. He was quickly caught, not for the firearm initially, but on unrelated charges within the casino itself. The subsequent investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Leech Lake Police Department revealed his history.
Jones, already a convicted felon with prior convictions in both Hennepin and Cass Counties, is legally barred from owning any firearms or ammunition. This isn’t a first-time offense involving a disregard for the law, adding weight to the federal charges he now faces. The details of his previous felonies haven’t been publicly released, but his status as a prohibited person is central to the case.
On Tuesday, Jones pleaded guilty to one count of possession of an unregistered firearm before Senior Judge Eric C. Tostrud in U.S. District Court. The plea means he acknowledges the illegal nature of his actions and opens the door for sentencing. The Department of Justice, through U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger, is prosecuting the case, promising a firm response to firearms violations.
The ATF and Leech Lake Police Department conducted the investigation, piecing together the evidence that led to Jones’s guilty plea. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Emily A. Polachek and LeeAnn K. Bell are handling the prosecution, and will present their arguments for sentencing at a hearing that has yet to be scheduled. The length of Jones’s sentence remains to be determined, but given his criminal history, a significant penalty is likely.
This case highlights the ongoing efforts of federal agencies to combat illegal firearm possession, particularly by individuals already prohibited from owning weapons. The Leech Lake Indian Reservation, like many tribal lands, faces unique challenges regarding crime and law enforcement, making collaborative efforts like this one all the more crucial. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing when it is announced.
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