CASPER, WY – Patrick Charles Schutz, 38, of Casper, Wyoming, is facing serious federal charges after being arraigned on November 29th for possession of firearms despite a prior felony conviction. The case, spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), highlights the continued struggle to keep weapons out of the hands of those legally prohibited from owning them.
According to court documents, Schutz pleaded not guilty before United States Magistrate Judge Michael Shickich. Acting United States Attorney Nicholas Vassallo announced the charges, detailing a potential sentence of up to 15 years imprisonment if Schutz is found guilty. The charges stem from the alleged illegal possession of firearms, a violation of federal law for convicted felons.
If convicted, the penalty doesn’t stop at prison time. Schutz also faces a potential three-year period of supervised release following his incarceration, alongside a hefty fine of up to $250,000. A mandatory $100 special assessment will also be applied. However, the final sentence will be determined by a federal district court judge, taking into account U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other relevant statutory factors.
The ATF investigation into Schutz’s alleged illegal firearm possession remains ongoing. Assistant United States Attorney Jonathan C. Coppom is leading the prosecution, tasked with proving Schutz knowingly violated the law. Details of the original felony conviction that disqualifies Schutz from firearm ownership have not been released at this time.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Wyoming was quick to emphasize that an indictment only contains allegations. Schutz, like all defendants in the American justice system, is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The trial is currently scheduled to begin on January 23, 2023, where the evidence will be presented and a jury will decide his fate. Case number: 22-CR-00132.
Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available. The ATF Denver Field Division is handling the investigation, signaling a continued federal focus on weapons offenses in the region. The prosecution aims to send a clear message: illegally possessing firearms after a felony conviction carries significant consequences.
Related Federal Cases
- Patrick Schutz, Firearms Possession, Casper WY, 2023 · Nevada
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- Frank Ray Berris, Felon in Possession of Firearms, Wyoming 2024 · Nevada
- Joshua Crook, Felon with Firearm, Casper WY, 2023 · Nevada
- Juan Hernandez, Tucson Gun Dealer Peddled Illegal Firearms, Tucson … · Wyoming
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