Repeat Domestic Abuser Sentenced to 51 Months in Federal Prison for Firearm Offense

Spokane, Washington – Senior United States District Judge Rosanna Malouf Peterson sentenced Frederick Terrell, age 43, of Spokane, Washington, to 51 months in federal prison after Terrell pled guilty on December 6, 2022, to being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. Terrell will also serve three years of supervised release after his release from confinement.

According to court documents, on April 8, 2022, Terrell visited a shooting range in Spokane, Washington and recorded multiple videos of himself firing a pistol. Terrell then texted to his intimate partner three videos that showed him shooting the pistol. This former intimate partner became concerned for her safety and disclosed the videos to Terrell’s Washington State Department of Corrections Community Corrections Officer. Terrell was prohibited from possessing firearms due to multiple prior felony convictions. Further, Terrell has at least seven prior convictions arising from domestic violence assaults.

United States Attorney Vanessa R. Waldref, who is the Chief Law Enforcement Officer in the Eastern District of Washington, stated, “Unlawful possession of firearms by domestic violence abusers is too often deadly for victims of intimate partner violence, and lethal for law enforcement officers responding to emergency calls.”

This case is the first sentencing to result from the Eastern District of Washington’s Safe Homes, Safe Community initiative in Spokane, which was designed to help communities implement promising practices to protect domestic violence survivors by preventing abusers from having unlawful access to firearms in situations that are already dangerous for survivors.

US Attorney Waldref further emphasized that, “Our district has seen a pattern in our cases, that individuals involved in violent crime also have a history of domestic violence or have grown up in homes plagued by violence. Safe Homes, Safe Community addresses victim safety, law enforcement safety and community safety. By partnering with Federal, State, Local, and Tribal law enforcement, we can make important strides toward keeping firearms out of the hands of domestic abusers and thereby keep our communities and neighborhoods safe and strong.”

“Mr. Terrell knew that he was prohibited from possessing firearms because of his multiple prior felony convictions, but chose to possess a firearm anyway,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Jonathan T. McPherson. “And to further his illegal behavior, his recording of himself firing a pistol and sending it to his former intimate partner just exacerbated his actions.  Hopefully this sentence will give him the opportunity to reflect on his actions and change his ways.”   

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Spokane Police Department, and the Washington State Department of Corrections. This case was prosecuted by Michael J. Ellis, Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, and Michael L. Vander Giessen, Special Assistant United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington.

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