Colorado Springs Man Sentenced to 27 Months in Federal Prison for Possessing 11 Firearms as a Prohibited Person

DENVER – The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces that Chad Edward Keith, age 42, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for possessing firearms after previously being convicted of a felony.

According to court documents, Keith maintained properties in both Colorado Springs and Cotopaxi, Colorado.  At his properties, Keith possessed 11 firearms, including rifles and a shotgun.  He previously had been convicted of a felony explosives offense, which is a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.  During the execution of search warrants related to this case, federal agents observed various paraphernalia and propaganda related to white supremacy and Nazism.  In the defendant’s Colorado Springs residence, agents found a flyer with pictures of various Congressmen and Senators with images of the Star of David on their foreheads. The placement of the Stars of David were suggestive of firearms bullseye targets.

“Coloradans can rest easier knowing that a dangerous person is behind bars,” said United States Attorney Cole Finegan.  “Together with our law enforcement partners, we remain committed to making sure that violent felons are prohibited from possessing weapons.”

“The FBI is committed to keeping communities safe. This commitment includes ensuring that individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms do not acquire them. In this case, a convicted felon was found to be in possession of 11 firearms,” said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. “Addressing community safety concerns is a priority for the FBI, and we will continue to work with our partners to remove illegal weapons from the hands of offenders.”

United States District Court Judge Regina M. Rodriguez presided over the sentencing on January 30, 2024.  After Keith’s term of incarceration, he will serve 36 months on supervised release.  He was also ordered to forfeit all 11 firearms and ammunition.

The FBI conducted the investigation in this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Julia Martinez handled the prosecution.  Assistant United States Attorney Kurt Bohn handled the forfeiture.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Case No. 23-cr-00273-RMR