AUSA VICKIE E. LEDUC at 410-209-4885

July 7, 2006

BALTIMORE MAN SENTENCED TO 70 MONTHS IN PRISON FOR ILLEGALLY POSSESSING AMMUNITION

BALTIMORE, Maryland - Andre Mills, age 34, of Baltimore was sentenced today to 70 months in prison, followed by 3 years of supervised release, after pleading guilty to possession of ammunition by a previously convicted felon, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.

According to the statement of facts presented at his guilty plea, on July 6, 2005, officers of the Baltimore City Police Department conducted a traffic stop of Mills and obtained his consent to search the trunk of the vehicle that he was driving. Inside the trunk, the officers recovered 6 boxes, each containing 20 rounds of Wolf FMJ-type 7.62 x 39 caliber ammunition, suitable for certain types of assault rifles. Mills advised the officers that he was staying at his clothing store, called “Moonwear,” and that he and his girlfriend had several guns at the location.

Officers searched the “Moonwear” store located at 2440 Greenmount Avenue, in Baltimore and recovered an AR-15 assault rifle, along with 39 cartridges and 4 magazines; a Taurus 9mm handgun, along with 3 magazines containing 27 rounds; and a Taurus .357 revolver, along with 6 rounds, along with additional 6 rounds in a case. In addition, officers recovered a loaded 12 gauge “Maverick” shotgun, along with 6 rounds; Shotgun shells; a New York Mets jacket with $1200; a loaded 9 mm Smith and Wesson handgun, along with 6 magazines containing 59 live rounds; two Glock 9 mm magazines; and 34 empty ammunition magazines for various types of firearms.

The search team also recovered miscellaneous items associated with firearms, including 2 magazine speed loaders; pistol grips for a 9 mm handgun; a pistol laser sight; 2 gun holsters; a revolver speed loader, a 12 gauge Sidewinder conversion kit; a magazine and stock for an AR-15 assault rifle; and a side saddle shotgun shell holster.

Mills had previously been convicted of a crime punishable by a term of imprisonment exceeding one year, and was thereby prohibited from owning firearms and ammunition.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Baltimore City Police Department for their investigative work in this case. Mr. Rosenstein also praised Assistant United States Attorney Michael Hanlon, who prosecuted the case.