A Moorhead man’s careless actions led to the fatal shooting of a minor in his residence, where a loaded firearm was found under a snack chip box in the kitchen.
Phillip Neal Jones, Jr., 34, pleaded guilty today to illegally possessing a firearm in his residence, announced Acting U.S. Attorney W. Anders Folk.
On March 21, 2021, Jones was in possession of a Walther .40 caliber pistol in his Moorhead residence. While he was away from the residence, a visiting child found the loaded gun under a large snack chip box in the kitchen.
The gun went off, hitting and killing a second child. Jones’ reckless behavior is a stark reminder of the dangers of unsecured firearms in homes.
Jones has multiple prior felony convictions in Hennepin and Anoka Counties and therefore is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.
This case is the result of investigations conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Moorhead Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amber M. Brennan is prosecuting the case.
Jones’ guilty plea serves as a warning to others who would recklessly put their communities at risk. His fate serves as a reminder that the consequences of our actions can be devastating.
Related Federal Cases
- Javier Juan Valtierra, Illegal Firearm Possession, Minnesota 2024 · Alaska
- Percy Lee Strother Jr., Possession of Firearm by Felon, AL 2018 · Alaska
- Muhnee Jaleel Bailey, Illegal Gun Possession, Minnesota 2022 · Alaska
- Dante Tyus Guilty of Felon in Possession of a Firearm · Minnesota
- Jon Henri, Illegal Gun Possession, Minnesota 2024 · South Dakota
Key Facts
- State: Minnesota
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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