St. Paul Felon Indicted For Possessing A Nine-millimeter Pistol

MINNEAPOLIS—A federal indictment unsealed earlier today charges a 32-year-old felon from St. Paul with possessing a nine-millimeter, semi-automatic pistol. The indictment, which was filed on May 7, 2013, charges Desmen Lee Parker with one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The indictment was unsealed following Parker’s appearance today in federal court.

The indictment alleges that from an unknown date through July 27, 2012, Parker possessed the pistol. Because he is a felon, Parker is prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition at any time. His prior Hennepin County convictions include receiving stolen property (2001) and being a felon in possession of a firearm (2001). In addition, Parker was convicted in Ramsey County for theft (2000) and receiving stolen property (2006). He was also convicted in Eau Claire County, Wisconsin, for armed robbery in 2007.

If convicted, Parker faces a potential maximum penalty of ten years in prison. Any sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge. This case is the result of an investigation by the Safe Streets Task Force. Safe Streets is a FBI-sponsored task force that focuses on combating violent street crime as well as gang and drug-trafficking offenses. This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Allen A. Slaughter.

An indictment is a determination by a grand jury that there is probable cause to believe that offenses have been committed by a defendant. A defendant, of course, is presumed innocent until he or she pleads guilty or is proven guilty at trial.