Champlin Felon Sentenced for Possessing Firearms

MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court, a 21-year-old Champlin felon was sentenced for possessing a 9-milimeter pistol and a .44-caliber revolver. United States District Court Chief Judge Michael J. Davis sentenced Deandre Franklin to 60 months in federal prison on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Franklin was indicted on July 23, 2012, and pleaded guilty on November 13, 2012.

In his plea agreement, Franklin admitted that on January 2, 2012, he traveled with two women to Bill’s Gun Shop in Robbinsdale. The women purchased .44-caliber ammunition, 9-millimeter ammunition, and ammunition magazines. Minneapolis police later stopped their car in north Minneapolis and found two firearms in the vehicle, a Glock, 9-millimeter pistol, and a Charter Arms .44-caliber revolver. One of the guns was found on Franklin, and the other was discovered under his seat.

Because he is a felon, Franklin is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms at any time. He was previously convicted of second-degree drug possession in Hennepin County in 2011.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the Safe Streets Task Force. Safe Streets is a FBI-sponsored task force that focuses on combating violent street crime as well as gang and drug trafficking offenses. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney LeeAnn K. Bell.