Felon Sentenced as an Armed Career Criminal for Possessing a .40 Caliber Handgun

Earlier today in federal court in Minneapolis, a 30-year-old felon from St. Paul was sentenced as an armed career criminal for possessing a Glock .40 caliber handgun. United States District Court Judge Joan N. Ericksen sentenced Laquan Traveon Fair to 180 months in prison on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Fair was indicted on May 11, 2010, and pleaded guilty on November 8, 2010.

In his plea agreement, Fair admitted that he possessed the gun on March 11, 2010. Authorities began investigating Fair on March 10, after learning he was distributing cocaine.

Law enforcement made controlled purchases of the drug on March 10 and again on March 11. During the second purchase, Fair was arrested, and authorities discovered the weapon and other contraband.

Because he is a felon, Fair is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time. Fair’s prior convictions include third-degree sale of narcotics (1999), felony domestic assault (2005), and first-degree burglary (2005). Since these convictions were for crimes of violence or serious drug offenses, Fair was subject to the federal armed career criminal statute when he was sentenced. That statute mandates a 15-year minimum prison sentence.

This case was the result of an investigation by the St. Paul Police Department, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen A. Slaughter.

Note, the case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, an initiative launched by the U.S. Justice Department in 2001 to promote a multi-jurisdictional, comprehensive approach to reducing gun crime in America. PSN provides resources to strengthen law enforcement and crime prevention partnerships that are working to make our streets and communities safer.