Nakia Marquire Martin, Unlawful Possession of Ammunition, Minnesota 2023

Nakia Marquire Martin, a 31-year-old St. Paul man, has been sentenced to 77 months in prison for his role in a brazen crime at a Woodbury sporting goods store.

According to court documents, Martin, a felon with a history of firearms convictions, accompanied a female acquaintance and her seven-year-old daughter to a local sporting goods store on July 5, 2023. While the female was purchasing a semiautomatic firearm, Martin helped himself to a 50-round box of .40-caliber ammunition, leaving the store without paying for it.

Martin’s actions were a brazen disregard for the law, as he was well aware that his prior felony convictions prohibited him from lawfully possessing firearms or ammunition at any time. The ATF and Saint Paul Police Department launched an investigation into the crime, leading to Martin’s arrest and subsequent guilty plea on January 4, 2024.

In addition to his 77-month prison sentence, Martin was also given an additional 10 months to be served consecutively for violating his supervised release terms and conditions resulting from a 2018 federal conviction. The U.S. Attorney’s Office praised the collaborative efforts of the ATF and Saint Paul Police Department in bringing Martin to justice.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bejar prosecuted the case, securing a significant sentence for a defendant who showed blatant disregard for the law. The sentence serves as a reminder that felons will be held accountable for their actions, and that the law will be enforced to protect the public.

Martin’s sentence was handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Ann D. Montgomery, who imposed a harsh penalty for a defendant who demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law. The case serves as a reminder that the community will not tolerate such behavior and that those who break the law will face the consequences.

The case is a testament to the dedication of law enforcement and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in keeping our community safe and holding accountable those who would seek to exploit the law for their own gain.

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