St. Paul Felon Pleads Guilty To Possessing .22-caliber Revolver And Methamphetamine

MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court, a 25-year-old St. Paul felon pleaded guilty to possessing a .22-caliber revolver and methamphetamine. Christopher Lee Rousseau specifically pleaded guilty to one count of being an armed career criminal in possession of a firearm. Rousseau, who was indicted on January 15, 2013, entered his plea before United States District Court Judge Patrick J. Schiltz.

In his plea agreement, Rousseau admitted that on December 3, 2012, he possessed the revolver, which was hidden along with several wrapped baggies of methamphetamine in the center console of the GMC Jimmy he was driving. Rousseau also admitted that he intended to distribute the methamphetamine, and that he carried the revolver in furtherance of his drug trafficking.

Because he is a felon, Rousseau is prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition at any time. His prior convictions in Ramsey County include aiding and abetting second-degree burglary (2010) and fleeing police in a motor vehicle (2011). In addition, Rousseau was convicted in Pine County for fleeing police in a motor vehicle (2007) and, in Dakota County, for third-degree burglary (2010).

Because those convictions constituted crimes of violence, Rousseau is now subject to the federal Armed Career Criminal Act. That act mandates a minimum of 15 years in prison for anyone subsequently convicted in federal court for being a felon in possession of a firearm or ammunition. Judge Schiltz will determine Rousseau’s sentence at a future hearing, yet to be scheduled.

A law enforcement affidavit filed in the current case states that at approximately 12:30 a.m. on December 3, 2012, officers stopped Rousseau for a traffic violation near the intersection of U.S. Highway 61 and Warner Road. He was then arrested for driving after cancellation of his license. During a search of Rousseau’s person, police found some ammunition and $385. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of the gun and the methamphetamine.

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. Attorney Lola Velazquez-Aguilu.