The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on December 14, 2010, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, KAINE WILLIAM HANSON, a 27-year-old resident of Havre, pled guilty to possession of a stolen firearm. Sentencing has been set for April 4, 2010. He is currently detained.

In an Offer of Proof filed by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kory Larsen, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:

On April 22, 2009, Havre Police officers observed HANSON, whom they recognized from past contacts, enter his father's home in Havre.

They later received a 911 report from an individual who said there was a man at his house threatening to shoot him.

When officers arrived, they found HANSON inside the house. As they approached and told HANSON to show them his hands, HANSON reached behind the refrigerator and an officer heard a metallic clunking as if he dropped something.

Officers recovered a black 9mm Taurus pistol behind the fridge and found nothing else that could have made the metallic clunking sound.

The serial number on the pistol was checked and it had been stolen from HANSON's brother who explained that HANSON must have stolen it from their father's home where he was no longer welcome.

HANSON's brother and father both stated that HANSON had been kicked out of the home where the gun was last seen prior to the incident. HANSON's brother, the owner of the gun, said he never gave HANSON permission to take the gun. The gun was purchased for HANSON's brother by his father, who likewise said he had not given HANSON permission to take it.

HANSON faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release.

The investigation was a cooperative effort between the Havre Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.

 

 

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