Federal Jury Convicts St. Paul Felon For Possessing A Nine-millimeter Pistol

MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court in St. Paul, a jury found a 36-year-old felon guilty of possessing a nine-millimeter pistol. Following a three-day trial, the jury convicted Christopher Sean Daniels, of St. Paul, on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Daniels was indicted on October 1, 2012.

Evidence presented at trial proved that on September 3, 2012, Daniels possessed a Smith & Wesson, nine-millimeter pistol. Because he is a felon, Daniels is prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm at any time. Daniels was previously convicted in Illinois in 1995 and 1997 for delivery of a controlled substance. In addition, he was convicted in Hennepin County in 2006 for being a felon in possession and for second-degree assault. And in 2010, he was convicted in Anoka County for fourth-degree assault. Since all of those prior offenses were crimes of violence or major drug crimes, Daniels is now subject to the federal Armed Career Criminal Act. That act mandates a minimum of 15 years in federal prison. United States District Court Judge Donovan W. Frank will determine his actual sentence at a future hearing, yet to be scheduled.

This case is the result of an investigation by the St. Paul Police Department, and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Julie E. Allyn and John E. Kokkinen.