United States Attorney Ron Parsons announced that a Minnesota man has been indicted by a federal grand jury for Possession of a Firearm by a Felon.
Mark Schmidt, age 54, was indicted on Jan. 23, 2019. He appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark A. Moreno on April 4, 2019, and pled not guilty to the Indictment.
The maximum penalty upon conviction is up to 10 years in federal prison and/or a $250,000 fine, up to 3 years of supervised release, and $100 to the Federal Crime Victims Fund. Restitution may also be ordered.
The Indictment alleges that on or about December 5, 2018, Schmidt, a convicted felon, knowingly possessed a Smith & Wesson, model 28 Highway Patrolman,.357 Magnum caliber, double-action revolver and twenty-three rounds of Blazer brand,.357 Magnum caliber ammunition.
The charge is merely an accusation and Schmidt is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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 make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department of Justice reinvigorated PSN in 2017 as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement and the local community to develop effective, locally-based strategies to reduce violent crime.
The investigation is being conducted by the Northern Plains Safe Trails Drug Enforcement Task Force. Assistant U.S. Attorney Cameron J. Cook is prosecuting the case.
Schmidt was released on bond pending trial. A trial date has not been set.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
