Spokane - Michael C. Ormsby, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Byron Cornelius Prince, age 49, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced for the crime of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm. United States District Court Judge Thomas O. Rice sentenced Prince to a 180 month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 5 year term of court supervision after release from Federal prison. Because of his criminal history, which included three crimes of violence, Judge Rice found that Prince was an Armed Career Criminal. Prince has been in custody since Nov. 14, 2012.
Prince was convicted following a two day jury trial in Federal District Court in Spokane, Washington. The trial began on April 29, 2013 and concluded with Princes's conviction on April 30, 2013. Evidence introduced at trial established that on the evening of June 21, 2011, Prince shot himself in the leg with a.22 caliber pistol during an argument with another individual. The shooting occurred near Prince's car, which was parked on the street outside Prince's residence in Spokane. As part of the investigation following the shooting, police officers obtained a warrant to search Prince's vehicle and found a.22 caliber pistol and holster in the trunk.
Michael C. Ormsby said, "The message should be clear, if you are a felon and you possess a firearm, the penalties will be severe. If you are an Armed Career Criminal, you will face a 15-year mandatory prison sentence. The safety of the community demands these sanctions."
The investigation was conducted by the Spokane Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by George J.C. Jacobs, III, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.
12-CR-00110-TOR
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
