COON RAPIDS, MN – Lewis Edward Byrd III, 45, is facing federal charges after Coon Rapids police found a loaded 9mm Smith & Wesson handgun hidden in his vehicle during a traffic stop last December. Byrd, already a registered predatory offender, allegedly lied to a private seller about his felony status when he purchased the weapon.
The traffic stop occurred December 29, 2022, leading to Byrd’s arrest on outstanding violations related to his predatory offender status. A search of the vehicle uncovered the handgun tucked away in a pillowcase behind the driver’s seat. Investigators quickly traced the firearm back to a private sale earlier that month. The seller, when questioned, claimed Byrd explicitly stated he was not a convicted felon.
This isn’t Byrd’s first brush with the law. Court records reveal a lengthy criminal history including a first-degree criminal sexual conduct conviction, stalking, and false imprisonment. These prior felonies permanently disqualify him from legally owning firearms or ammunition under federal law, according to U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger’s office.
Byrd is now charged with one count of possession of a firearm as a felon. Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty has already ordered Byrd to be held without bail pending further court proceedings. The case highlights the ongoing struggle to keep guns out of the hands of those legally prohibited from owning them, a problem that continues to plague communities across the nation.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Coon Rapids Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey Middlecamp is leading the prosecution. The ATF’s involvement suggests a focus on tracing illegal firearms and disrupting the flow of weapons to prohibited individuals.
It’s crucial to remember that a criminal complaint is simply an accusation. Byrd is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. However, his history and the evidence presented paint a concerning picture, and the Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it unfolds. “
Related Federal Cases
- Lewis Byrd, Illegal Gun Possession, Minnesota 2023 · Minnesota
- Lewis Edward Byrd III, Federal Gun Possession, Minnesota 2022 · Illinois
- Lewis Edward Byrd III, Illegal Firearm Possession, MN 2022 · Illinois
- Jordan Alexander, Illegal Gun Possession, Washington DC, 2024 · Maryland
- Justin Cutbank, Illegal Firearm Possession, Minnesota 2024 · Minnesota
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