Battle Creek Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Firearms Charges

           GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN – U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Miles, Jr. announced today that Vincent Isaac-Peter Jones, age 28, of Battle Creek, pled guilty before U.S. District Judge Robert Holmes Bell to possessing two pistols as a convicted felon and possessing a third pistol in furtherance of heroin trafficking. Jones faces penalties of up to ten years in prison for the former offense and up to life in prison for the drug-related crime.

           On January 28, 2014, Jones engaged the Battle Creek Police Department in a high-speed chase, which ended when his vehicle crashed into a snow bank. After a foot pursuit, he was apprehended and found to be carrying two loaded .45 caliber pistols. On February 19, 2014, after bonding out on state charges related to these offenses, Jones was again encountered by the Battle Creek Police Department and found in possession of a loaded .40 caliber pistol, $1,200 in cash, and heroin intended for sale.

           In March 2014, Jones was indicted by a federal grand jury for possessing the .45 caliber pistols as a convicted felon and possessing the .40 caliber pistol in furtherance of drug dealing. Jones pled guilty to these charges. He was also charged with possessing heroin with intent to sell it in April 2013 and July 2013 and with possessing a fourth handgun in August 2013, but, in accordance with a plea agreement, these other charges will be dismissed at sentencing. Three of the four firearms had been reported stolen.

           This case resulted from a coordinated investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Battle Creek Police Department’s Gang Suppression Unit and Special Investigations Unit.

           U.S. Attorney Miles said, “Drugs and stolen guns are a toxic mix, which is only made worse when they are possessed by convicted felons. Battle Creek and West Michigan neighborhoods are safer after eliminating these guns and drugs.”

           Sentencing has been scheduled for October 1, 2014. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Russ Kavalhuna.

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