BISMARCK - U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on May 21, 2012, James A. Brenner, 48, of Dodge, N.D., was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Daniel L. Hovland on a charge of possession of firearms by a convicted felon. Brenner pleaded guilty to the charge on February 15, 2012.

Judge Hovland sentenced Brenner to serve two years and nine months in federal prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release. Brenner was ordered to pay a $100 special assessment to the Crime Victim's Fund.

On October 16, 2011, law enforcement officials executed a search warrant on Brenner’s property in Dodge, N.D., looking for firearms. They located two shotguns and a rifle. The investigation revealed that Brenner had possessed twelve other firearms earlier in 2011, including five handguns. While in jail awaiting trial on these charges, Brenner directed two other individuals to locate and hide three other handguns. Judge Hovland found this conduct to constitute obstruction of justice, which increased
Brenner’s sentencing guideline range.

Brenner was prohibited from possessing firearms by virtue of his previous convictions for malicious shooting, in Prince George’s County Circuit Court, State of Maryland, on October 2, 1986, and possession of a firearm by a felon, in Aroostook County Superior Court, State of Maine, on August 3, 1990.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Dunn County Sheriff's Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David Hagler prosecuted the case.

 

 

 

 

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