Lewis Byrd, Illegal Gun Possession, Minnesota 2023

ST. PAUL, MN – Lewis Edward Byrd III, 46, of Anoka County, is headed to federal prison for six years after a routine traffic stop exposed a hidden handgun and a history that barred him from owning one. Byrd was sentenced yesterday in U.S. District Court before Judge Eric C. Tostrud, bringing a close to a case highlighting the ongoing struggle to keep weapons out of the hands of convicted felons.

The trouble began December 29, 2022, when Coon Rapids Police pulled over Byrd’s vehicle. He was already facing trouble as a registered predatory offender, and the stop quickly revealed violations related to that status. But the search of the vehicle uncovered more than just registration issues – officers found a Smith and Wesson 9mm handgun tucked away in a pillowcase behind the driver’s seat.

Investigators soon learned Byrd had purchased the weapon earlier that month from a private seller. He allegedly told the seller he wasn’t a felon, a blatant lie considering his extensive criminal record. Byrd’s past includes a first-degree criminal sexual conduct conviction, along with charges of stalking and false imprisonment – all felonies that permanently disqualify a person from legally possessing firearms under federal law.

Byrd pleaded guilty on May 8, 2023, to one count of possession of a firearm as a felon. The plea secured a 72-month prison sentence, followed by three years of supervised release. The case underscores the serious consequences of illegally acquiring firearms, particularly for those with a history of violent offenses.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Coon Rapids Police Department jointly investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Middlecamp prosecuted Byrd, building a solid case based on the evidence collected during the traffic stop and subsequent investigation. The ATF’s St. Paul Field Division was central to the probe.

This isn’t just about a gun; it’s about a pattern of behavior and a clear disregard for the law, said sources close to the investigation. Byrd’s attempt to conceal his criminal history and illegally obtain a firearm demonstrates a dangerous mindset and a willingness to put others at risk. The six-year sentence sends a message that such actions will not be tolerated in Minnesota.

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