St. Paul Felon Sentenced For Possessing A .22-caliber Revolver

MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court, a 26-year-old St. Paul felon was sentenced for possessing a .22-caliber revolver. United States District Judge Patrick J. Schiltz sentenced Christopher Lee Rousseau to 180 months in prison on one count of being an armed career criminal in possession of a firearm. Rousseau was indicted on January 15, 2013, and pleaded guilty on May 16, 2013.

In his plea agreement, Rousseau admitted that on December 3, 2012, he possessed the revolver. It was hidden in the center console of the GMC Jimmy he was driving at the time he was stopped by authorities. 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 subsequently arrested for driving after cancellation of his license. During a search of Rousseau’s person, police found two rounds of ammunition and $385. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of the gun.

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).

Since those felony convictions were for violent crimes, Rousseau was subject to the federal armed career criminal statute in the current federal case. That statute mandates a minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison upon conviction. Given that the federal criminal justice system does not have parole, offenders serve virtually their entire sentence behind bars.

This case was the result of an investigation by the St. Paul Police Department and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lola Velazquez-Aguilu.