Another “Project Exile Minneapolis”

Indictment is Unsealed in Federal Court

Another federal indictment credited to Project Exile Minneapolis has been unsealed. It charges Kevin Devon Wallace, age 29, of Minneapolis, with being a career criminal in possession of a firearm as well as possession of a stolen firearm. The indictment, filed on

October 13, 2010, was unsealed following Wallace’s arrest and initial appearance in federal court.

Project Exile Minneapolis is a law enforcement initiative, launched on July 22, 2010, as part of a City-wide effort to reduce gun violence. Through Project Exile, the Minneapolis Police Department and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives work together to apprehend serial criminals for violations of gun laws. Then, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office teams up with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to determine where those offenders will most effectively be prosecuted–State or federal court. Those determinations are based on the offenders’ criminal histories and current charges, among other factors.

Because Wallace is a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm at any time. His past convictions include possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver in Cook County, Illinois, in both 1999 and 2000; possession of a stolen motor vehicle in Cook County, Illinois, in 1999; terroristic threats in Ramsey County, Minnesota, in 2004; second degree burglary of a dwelling in Ramsey County in 2006; and possession of a controlled substance in Ramsey County in 2006. Nonetheless, on June 7, 2010, he was allegedly found in possession of a stolen nine-millimeter Glock semi-automatic handgun.

Since at least three of Wallace’s felony convictions are for crimes of violence or serious drug offenses, he is now being prosecuted as a federal armed career criminal.  Accordingly, if he is convicted of possessing a firearm on June 7, he will face a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison. He also faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years if convicted of the stolen firearm charge. All sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge.

Presently, several other Project Exile Minneapolis cases are being prepared for federal charges. Moreover, County and federal prosecutors continue to review all Minneapolis gun cases on a regular basis.  The Wallace case is the result of an investigation by the Minneapolis Police Department and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen A. Slaughter.

An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by a defendant. A defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial.