Armed Felon Sentenced to 77 Months in Federal Prison

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced today that Nicholas Matthew McRae, age 36, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced after having pleaded guilty on December 14, 2017, to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. United States District Court Judge Stanley A. Bastian sentenced McRae to a 77-month term of imprisonment, to be followed by a 3-year term of court supervision following release from Federal prison.

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, officers assigned to the Spokane Police Department Patrol Anti-Crime Team (PACT) observed McRae driving his vehicle past the Union Gospel Mission and the barrel of a firearm pointed toward the open driver’s side window. The officers followed McRae and attempted a high-risk traffic stop. McRae sped past the Union Gospel Mission and eluded the pursuing officers for several minutes, causing multiple accidents. After a pursuing officer disabled McRae’s vehicle, McRae fled and a foot chase ensued until police apprehended him. A search of McRae’s vehicle revealed two firearms, an AK-47 style pistol with a drum magazine capable of containing 100 rounds of ammunition and a revolver. A search of the drum magazine revealed it was loaded with over 60 rounds of ammunition. As a previously convicted felon, McRae was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.

Joseph H. Harrington said, “Prosecuting firearms-related crimes continues to be a priority for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington. Previously convicted felons should be aware that there are serious criminal penalties connected with possessing any firearm and ammunition and that this Office is committed to prosecuting aggressively firearm-related cases in the Eastern District of Washington.”

This case was investigated by the Spokane Police Department Patrol Anti-Crime Team (PACT) and the Spokane Resident Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

(ATF). This case was prosecuted by Patrick J. Cashman, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.