FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC or
MARCIA MURPHY at 410-209-4885
January
6, 2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BALTIMORE FELON IN POSSESSION OF A GUN EXILED TO 15 YEARS IN PRISON
Baltimore, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Catherine C. Blake sentenced Damon Penn, age 36, of Baltimore, today to 15 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for being a felon in possession of a gun. U.S. District Judge Blake enhanced Penn’s sentence upon finding that he was an armed career criminal based on three previous convictions for drug offenses and assault.
United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein; Special Agent in Charge Theresa R. Stoop of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives - Baltimore Field Division; Baltimore City State’s Attorney Patricia C. Jessamy; and Baltimore Police Commissioner Frederick H. Bealefeld III announced the sentence.
According to Penn’s plea agreement, on July 1, 2008, Baltimore City Police officers saw Penn operating a car with broken brake and turn signal lights in the Liberty Heights section of Baltimore. The officers stopped the car. Penn appeared nervous and said his driver’s license had been suspended. Penn was arrested and a loaded .22 caliber handgun was seized from the car. Penn had previously been convicted of a felony and thus, was prohibited from possessing a gun.
Mr. Rosenstein commended Assistant U.S. Attorneys Rachel M. Yasser and P. Michael Cunningham, who prosecuted the case.