Red Lake Felon Pleads Guilty to Possessing Ammunition

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ST. PAUL—Earlier today in federal court in St. Paul, a 53-year-old Red Lake man pleaded guilty to illegally possessing firearm ammunition on June 12, 2011. Edward Dean Cook, Sr., pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition. Cook, who was indicted on August 2, 2011, entered his plea before United States District Court Judge Richard H. Kyle.

In his plea agreement, Cook admitted that on June 12, 2011, he possessed unexpended shotgun shells in the cab of his vehicle. Because he is a felon, Cook is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time. Cook’s previous felony conviction occurred in federal court for the District of Minnesota in 1992 for assaulting a federal law enforcement officer.

An affidavit filed in the current case states that on June 12, 2011, at approximately 2 a.m., Red Lake Police were notified that Cook was seen outside a residence on the Red Lake Indian Reservation in a pickup truck. He was believed to be in possession of a firearm. Cook then reportedly left the vicinity only to return at 4 a.m., at which time he allegedly began shooting at the house. Police responded to the scene and the truck took off, prompting a 44-mile chase. Ultimately, the truck was cornered, allegedly causing Cook to smash the truck into a police car in an attempt to flee. However, the truck got hung up on a log, and Cook was arrested. Discharged cartridge casings as well as unexpended rounds of ammunition were found in the vehicle. An 11-year-old child also was found in the truck, reportedly unharmed.

For his crime, Cook faces a potential maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. Judge Kyle will determine his sentence at a future hearing, yet to be scheduled. This case is the result of an investigation by the Red Lake Tribal Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney David P. Steinkamp.

Because the Red Lake Indian Reservation is a federal jurisdiction reservation, some of the crimes that occur there are investigated by the FBI in conjunction with the Red Lake Tribal Police Department. Those cases are prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.