St. Paul Felon Pleads Guilty to Possessing Firearms, Possessing with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine

MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court, a 32-year-old felon from St. Paul pleaded guilty to possessing a .40-caliber, semi-automatic pistol along with 27.8 grams of methamphetamine on January 14, 2011. Lee Pao Vue specifically pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. Vue, who was indicted on February 15, 2011, entered his plea before United States District Court Judge David S. Doty.

In his plea agreement, Vue admitted that on January 14, 2011, he possessed with intent to distribute the methamphetamine and sold the pistol. In addition, Vue admitted he is responsible for between 20-50 grams of methamphetamine. A law enforcement affidavit filed in the case states that in early 2011, authorities learned that Vue was selling firearms and methamphetamine. Subsequently, at a St. Paul stash house, Vue sold one ounce of methamphetamine and a .40-caliber pistol to authorities during a controlled buy. Following the transaction, police stopped Vue’s vehicle and arrested him. They recovered the money used to purchase both the gun and the drugs. They also found some methamphetamine in his jacket pocket.

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.

For his crimes, Vue faces a potential maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on the methamphetamine-related charge and 10 years on the firearm-possession charge. Judge Doty will determine his sentence at a future hearing, yet to be scheduled.

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 U.S. Attorney Deidre Y. Aanstad.

Note: This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), 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.