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Minneapolis Felon Indicted for Gun and Heroin Charges
A 59-year-old Minneapolis felon has been indicted for possessing a nine-millimeter pistol as well as heroin, according to a recent federal court indictment.
Robert Lee Powers, a convicted felon, was specifically charged with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession with intent to distribute heroin.
The indictment alleges that Powers possessed the pistol as well as a detectable amount of heroin on March 18, 2013. Because he is a felon, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm at any time.
Powers has a long history of convictions, including third-degree sale of crack cocaine, offering a forged check, fourth-degree sale of crack cocaine, attempted first-degree criminal sexual conduct, a third-degree controlled substance crime, an attempted fifth-degree controlled substance crime, a fifth-degree controlled substance crime, and theft of a motor vehicle.
Because at least three of these convictions constituted violent crimes or major drug crimes, Powers is subject to the federal Armed Career Criminal Act, which mandates a minimum of 15 years in federal prison for anyone subsequently convicted under federal law for being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition.
Powers faces a potential maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison for possession with intent to distribute heroin. Any sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge.
The case is the result of an investigation by the Minneapolis Police Department and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Project Exile Minneapolis, a city-wide effort to reduce gun violence, was launched on July 22, 2010, and has resulted in the U.S. Attorney’s Office bringing charges against more than a dozen serious habitual criminals.
An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by a defendant. A defendant is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial.
Key Facts
- State: Minnesota
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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