Ronnie Bila Shaka, 44, has been sentenced to 140 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release for possessing firearms as a felon. The sentencing took place in U.S. District Court, according to an announcement from Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
“Domestic abusers are among the most dangerous offenders we face,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “They prey on the very people they should protect and in doing so endanger their victims, police officers, and the community as a whole. When someone shows they are willing to terrorize their own family, they have forfeited their right to walk free. More than a decade in federal prison is exactly what this conduct deserves, and it should serve as a warning: we will not tolerate domestic violence and we will hold these offenders accountable before they can destroy more lives.”
Court documents state that on November 2, 2023, law enforcement responded to Shaka’s home after receiving a report of a domestic dispute involving a firearm. Officers forced entry into the residence and found Shaka with his pregnant girlfriend and her baby. Authorities reported that Shaka threatened his girlfriend with an untraceable “ghost gun” to stop her from leaving.
A search warrant led officers to discover five firearms stored in safes near Shaka’s bed, along with numerous magazines and ammunition. Two of the firearms were Polymer 80 ghost guns without serial numbers; both had machinegun conversion devices known as “switches,” making them fully automatic weapons. Investigators also found videos on Shaka’s cell phone showing him firing these modified handguns outside his home, accompanied by text messages where he boasted about their power.
Shaka has an extensive criminal record that includes eight felony convictions and six prior offenses related to firearms possession. His history of domestic violence began when he was 18 years old and includes multiple assaults, threats, and repeated violations of no-contact orders.
Senior U.S. District Judge Paul A. Magnuson handed down the sentence following Shaka’s guilty plea. During sentencing, Judge Magnuson highlighted the danger posed by the weapons involved in the case: “they’re made to kill people.” He also referenced evidence that Shaka had threatened his girlfriend with a gun during the incident, describing Shaka’s actions as “unconscionable.”
The investigation was conducted by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) along with officers from the Robbinsdale Police Department; assistance was provided by the Crystal Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ruth S. Shnider and William C. Mattessich prosecuted the case.
