Convicted Felon Sentenced for Selling a Stolen Firearm

ANCHORAGE—A convicted felon was sentenced today in federal court in Anchorage to 48 months in prison for firearms crimes.

Karen L. Loeffler, U.S. Attorney for the District of Alaska, announced that Joel William Corwin, 32, a resident of Anchorage, Alaska, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge H. Russel Holland for his convictions of being a felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm.

According to information presented to the court by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Erin White, Corwin sold a Leinad Model PM-11, 9mm pistol, along with an attached high-capacity magazine, to a confidential informant working for the FBI. Law enforcement recorded the firearms transaction with both audio and video equipment. Corwin’s face is clearly visible in the video, and he can be heard acknowledging his belief that the firearm was stolen. In 2004, this particular firearm had been reported to the Anchorage Police Department as being stolen.

Prior to imposing sentence, Judge Holland noted the dangerous nature of the firearm sold by Corwin. Judge Holland also found that the defendant’s criminal history, which includes felony convictions for criminal mischief and eluding, demonstrates extremely bad judgment and unacceptable risk to the public.

Ms. Loeffler commended the FBI’s Safe Streets Task Force, comprised of Anchorage police officers and FBI agents, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives for the investigation leading to the successful prosecution of Corwin. Ms. White is a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office who is funded by the Municipality of Anchorage for the purpose of prosecuting gang-related and violent crime cases.