MINNEAPOLIS-Earlier today in federal court, a 49-year-old felon from the northern Minnesota community of Virginia was sentenced for possessing a.38-caliber revolver. United States District Court Judge Patrick J. Schiltz sentenced John Carl Pape to 180 months in prison on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Pape was indicted on Oct. 15, 2012, and pleaded guilty on Jan. 31, 2013.
In his plea agreement, Pape admitted possessing the Smith & Wesson, five-shot revolver on May 6, 2012. On that day, police received a complaint that two vehicles had been vandalized in a church parking lot in Eveleth, Minnesota. One of the victims stated that her purse was stolen, and that it contained the gun and credit cards, among other items. Later that day, Pape was questioned by authorities and admitted attempting to make purchases and withdrawals with the victim’s stolen credit card. During the subsequent execution of a search warrant at Pape’s residence on May 6 and 7, 2012, officers seized items linked to the theft, including the gun.
Because he is a felon, Pape is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms at any time. His previous St. Louis County convictions include third-degree burglary (1991 and 2004), fifth-degree possession of drugs (2007 and 2008), and fifth-degree sale of marijuana (1998).
Since at least three of Pape’s prior convictions constitute crimes of violence or major drug crimes, he was subject to the federal Armed Career Criminal Act if convicted in the current federal case. That act mandates a minimum of 15 years in federal prison.
This case was the result of an investigation by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Hollenhorst.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
