Home Minneapolis Press Releases 2011 St. Paul Felon Indicted for Possessing Firearms, Methamphetamine
Info
This is archived material from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) website. It may contain outdated information and links may no longer function.

St. Paul Felon Indicted for Possessing Firearms, Methamphetamine

U.S. Attorney’s Office February 16, 2011
  • District of Minnesota (612) 664-5600

A 31-year-old felon from St. Paul was indicted today in federal court in Minneapolis for allegedly possessing two firearms and methamphetamine with intent to distribute it. Lee Pao Vue was charged with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

The indictment alleges that on January 14, 2011, Vue possessed a .40 caliber, semiautomatic pistol, and a .38 special caliber revolver. Because he is a convicted felon, Vue is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time. His past felony convictions include fifth-degree possession of a controlled substance, occurring twice in 2005, and second-degree possession of a controlled substance in 2007. All three convictions were obtained in Ramsey County.

According to the indictment, Vue also possessed methamphetamine on January 14, intending to distribute it. A law enforcement affidavit filed in the case states that in early 2011, they learned Vue was selling firearms and methamphetamine. Subsequently, during an controlled buy at a St. Paul stash house, Vue allegedly sold one ounce of methamphetamine and a .40 caliber pistol. Following the transaction, police stopped Vue’s vehicle and arrested him. They recovered the money used to purchase the gun and drugs, and they found some methamphetamine in his jacket pocket. During the subsequent execution of a search warrant at the stash house, authorities also discovered the .38 caliber revolver.

If convicted, Vue faces a potential maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the methamphetamine-related charge and 10 years on each firearm possession count. All sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge.

This case is the result of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the St. Paul Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Deidre Y. Aanstad.

Note: The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, an initiative launched by the U.S. Justice Department in 2001 to promote a multi-jurisdictional, comprehensive approach to reducing gun crime in America. PSN provides resources to strengthen law enforcement and crime prevention partnerships that are working to make our streets and communities safer.

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, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial.

This content has been reproduced from its original source.