Appleton Felon Sentenced To More Than 16 Years In Prison For Possession Of Body Armor And Methamphetamine

Defendant arrested after leading Stevens County Sheriff’s Office on high-speed chase

United States Attorney Andrew M. Luger today announced the sentencing of JOSHUA M. PROUDFOOT, 36, to 202 months in federal prison for possession of methamphetamine and illegally possessing body armor. PROUDFOOT pleaded guilty on September 4, 2014, to Possession with Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine and to being a Felon in Possession of Body Armor. PROUDFOOT was sentenced on February 6, 2015, before Judge Ann D. Montgomery in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minn.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, on May 7, 2014, PROUDFOOT led police officers on a high-speed car chase lasting nearly two miles before the defendant lost control of his vehicle and crashed into a field. PROUDFOOT threw at least 14 bags of methamphetamine, totaling more than 20 grams, out of the driver’s side window during the chase. PROUDFOOT, who also had several yellow pills and a live round of .38-caliber ammunition, was arrested a short distance from the crash site after attempting to flee on foot.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, PROUDFOOT also possessed two backpacks containing a loaded .38-caliber revolver, additional ammunition and several empty small plastic baggies. In a car he owned, the defendant also had a Point Blank brand bulletproof vest, a loaded .40-caliber handgun, and a tin containing drug paraphernalia and several unidentified pills.

Stevens County Sheriff Jason Dingman said, “This was a significant case for Stevens County. I appreciate the partnership between the federal, state, and local agencies involved in this investigation.”

“The court imposed a just and appropriate sentence based on this defendant’s repeated violent behavior,” said Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bejar. “The case agent and investigators were instrumental in obtaining justice in this case.”

This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Stevens County Sheriff’s Office, and the Morris Police Department.

Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin Bejar prosecuted this case.


Defendant Information:

JOSHUA M. PROUDFOOT, 36
Appleton, Minn.

Convicted:
• Possession With Intent to Distribute Methamphetamine, 1 count
• Felon in Possession of Body Armor, 1 count

Sentenced:
• 202 months in federal prison
• 8 years supervised release