Kristen Patterson, Felon with Firearm, Omaha NE, 2023

OMAHA, NE – Kristen M. Patterson, 40, of Omaha, is headed to federal prison for six years after a jury convicted her of being a felon in possession of a firearm. U.S. District Judge Brian C. Buescher handed down the 72-month sentence on May 3, 2023, along with two years of supervised release following her incarceration. No parole will be granted in the federal system.

The case unfolded in the early hours of April 7, 2021, when Omaha Police officers discovered Patterson’s truck and attached trailer blocking the entrance to a storage facility. A check of the trailer’s plates revealed it had been reported stolen. For nearly 20 minutes, officers used loudspeakers, flashing lights, and sirens in an attempt to get Patterson to exit the vehicle. Despite clear indications she was moving inside, Patterson initially refused to comply with their requests.

When officers finally made contact, they found a knife on the driver’s seat and, within easy reach in the center console, a loaded firearm. Patterson, already a convicted felon, knew she was legally prohibited from possessing the weapon. The truck itself was packed with her belongings, indicating she was in the process of moving.

During the trial, Patterson claimed she was unaware the firearm was in her truck, despite its proximity to her leg and visibility from the driver’s seat. The jury clearly didn’t buy it. Judge Buescher didn’t either, finding that Patterson obstructed justice through her false testimony. This dishonesty factored into the severity of her sentence.

The investigation was a joint effort between the Omaha Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The ATF’s Kansas City Field Division played a key role in building the case against Patterson. Federal prosecutors, led by U.S. Attorney Steven A. Russell, successfully argued that Patterson’s actions posed a danger to the community.

Patterson’s case highlights the strict federal laws regarding firearm possession by convicted felons. While she attempted to distance herself from the weapon, the evidence presented at trial proved her guilt, and the judge ensured she will face significant consequences for her actions. The case serves as a warning: possessing a firearm illegally will draw the attention of both local and federal law enforcement.

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