Quantez Ward, Illegal Firearms, Minneapolis MN, 2023

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Quantez Ward, a resident of Minneapolis, has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for illegally possessing firearms, a grim reminder of the weapons flooding the streets and falling into the wrong hands. The sentence, handed down by Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz, also includes two years of supervised release following incarceration.

The case stems back to January 2022, when Ward and his brother were initially charged in Hennepin County District Court with possession of machineguns. Authorities say the brothers brazenly brought these modified firearms – equipped with illegal “auto sears” (also known as switches) capable of turning semi-automatic weapons into fully automatic ones – to the funeral of a known gang member. Both brothers initially pleaded guilty to those state charges and were released on probation, a clear indication of a revolving door justice system.

But Ward didn’t learn his lesson. On May 6, 2022, Maple Grove police pulled over the vehicle the brothers were in. Cortez Ward was found with an unserialized Polymer 80 pistol, commonly known as a “ghost gun,” loaded with 19 rounds. Quantez Ward had an AK-style rifle stashed in a backpack inside the car. This wasn’t an isolated incident; a subsequent federal raid on July 19, 2022, at the brothers’ residence unearthed a veritable arsenal – a 9mm Ruger rifle, a H&K MP5 rifle, and another Polymer 80 pistol, this one *also* equipped with a switch.

On November 21, 2022, Quantez Ward finally admitted his guilt, pleading guilty to one count of possession of firearms as a felon, encompassing several of the weapons seized during the raid. The prosecution, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lindsey E. Middlecamp, successfully argued for a substantial prison sentence, recognizing the danger posed by Ward’s repeated disregard for the law. His brother, Cortez Ward, awaits sentencing.

The investigation, a collaborative effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Minneapolis Police Department, and the Maple Grove Police Department, underscores the ongoing struggle to stem the flow of illegal weapons and hold accountable those who put public safety at risk. The ATF’s St. Paul Field Division led the federal probe.

This case isn’t just about guns; it’s about a pattern of behavior. Ward’s history, from attending a gang member’s funeral armed to the teeth to repeatedly possessing illegal firearms even while on probation, paints a picture of a dangerous individual who clearly has no respect for the law. While 30 months is a start, it remains to be seen if it’s enough to prevent Ward from re-offending upon his release.

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