Anchorage Man Sentenced to 16 Months in Prison for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Anchorage, Alaska – U.S. Attorney Karen L. Loeffler announced that Jahkeel Joseph, 23, resident of Anchorage, was sentenced today by Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Burgess to 16 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release, for being a felon in possession of a firearm. Joseph pleaded guilty on Oct. 11, 2016, to a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).

According to documents filed in the case, in the early morning hours of Feb. 2, 2016, a resident of an apartment complex in Anchorage called police to report a loud “bang” in the apartment next door. He called back a few minutes later to report finding shotgun holes in the walls of his kitchen. According to the neighbor, the defendant and the female occupant of the next door apartment had been arguing for about an hour before the “bang.”

While police were on route to the apartment in response to the neighbor’s call, the police passed the defendant as he drove away. The defendant turned into the wrong lane of traffic and nearly collided with the police cruisers. He then failed to stop at a stop sign. Police turned and gave chase. The defendant initially failed to stop, before finally pulling into a parking lot about a mile from the apartment. Located on the seat next to the defendant was a shotgun (with one spent round in the chamber and five rounds in the side saddle). A field sobriety test was started.

At sentencing, Judge Burgess noted the “incredibly serious” nature of the defendant’s conduct, and his prior history with guns, including an incident in 2014 in which the defendant shot another person during a fight in the face. According to Judge Burgess, the 16-month sentence was appropriate given the defendant’s criminal history. “He wasn’t supposed to have a gun in the first place,” said Judge Burgess. “He is making a bad choice that could have significant consequences for him and others around him.” Judge Burgess went on to add that his sentence was intended to send a message to the defendant that he needs to “grow up.” “I think it is important that you be deterred, and that you understand that there are consequences to your conduct,” said Judge Burgess.

The case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Anchorage Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kyle Reardon prosecuted the case.