MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Marlin Lavar White, 27, of Brooklyn Park, is headed to federal prison for 87 months after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm despite a lengthy criminal record. The sentencing, handed down yesterday by Senior Judge Ann D. Montgomery, sends a clear message: felons with guns will face serious consequences.
The bust went down September 19, 2021, in downtown Minneapolis. White was spotted carrying a Springfield Armory, model XDM-9, 9mm semiautomatic pistol. When he saw Minneapolis Police officers, White didn’t stick around to explain. He bolted, ditching the loaded weapon in a planter box near a local hotel, hoping to avoid detection. He failed.
Court documents reveal White isn’t just a one-time offender. He’s racked up multiple felony convictions in Hennepin County, automatically disqualifying him from legally owning any firearms or ammunition. This wasn’t a case of a first-time mistake; it was a deliberate disregard for the law by a repeat offender, according to prosecutors.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Minneapolis Police Department jointly investigated the case, painstakingly piecing together the evidence that led to White’s conviction. The quick response by officers and the thorough investigation were crucial in getting this dangerous individual off the streets, sources say.
White entered a guilty plea on December 1, 2022, to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. In addition to the 87-month prison sentence, he’ll face three years of supervised release after he gets out, meaning he’ll be monitored by federal authorities. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David P. Steinkamp, Justin A. Wesley, and Craig R Baune prosecuted the case.
This case is another example of the ATF and local law enforcement working together to combat gun violence. While the streets of Minneapolis continue to grapple with escalating crime rates, this conviction, though a single case, represents a small victory in the ongoing battle to keep firearms out of the hands of those who would misuse them.
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