Ouray Man Arrested After Selling Gun to Teen

Jerome Andre Kimble, 32, of Ouray, Colorado, is behind bars on federal firearm charges after selling a loaded pistol to a juvenile and threatening law enforcement. The arrest, carried out by a multi-agency task force, capped a months-long investigation into Kimble’s open carry of a weapon despite being a convicted felon.

Charged by criminal complaint on December 1, 2016, Kimble was taken into custody December 2 at a Montrose fast food restaurant during a high-risk operation involving federal, state, and local officers. The defendant, labeled a serious threat to law enforcement, appeared in U.S. District Court in Grand Junction, where he was formally advised of the charges. A detention hearing is scheduled for December 8, 2016, at 2:00 p.m.

According to the affidavit, on July 29, 2016, an Ouray Police Officer learned Kimble brought a firearm to his workplace, displayed it to coworkers, and offered it for sale. After being fired, Kimble made threats against customers and employees. He later sold the weapon to a juvenile for $180 in cash, the minor and his father confirming the transaction with police on October 31, 2016.

Kimble, who previously served time for two counts of Felony Second Degree Burglary in Santa Clara County, California, is legally prohibited from possessing firearms. Witnesses told investigators he frequently walked around town with a large black-handled pistol in an open carry holster. His access to weapons and violent threats prompted a coordinated law enforcement response.

The situation escalated after Kimble’s October 18, 2016 arrest on a motor vehicle charge. While released on a $750 bond, he directed violent threats at Ouray officers, claiming he knew where their spouses worked and vowing to return as an “enemy of the State” to “get even.” Those threats, combined with his criminal history, elevated the case to federal priority.

If convicted, Kimble faces not more than 10 years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Peter Hautzinger and investigated by ATF, with support from the FBI, U.S. Marshals, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Ouray Police, and Montrose Police. The charges remain allegations; Kimble is presumed innocent until proven guilty.