Fridley Felon Pleads Guilty To Possessing Ammunition

MINNEAPOLIS—Yesterday in federal court in St. Paul, a 22-year-old felon from Fridley pleaded guilty to possessing nine-millimeter, hollow-point ammunition. On June 13, 2013, Raphael Eric Matthews pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition. Matthews, who was indicted on February 19, 2013, entered his plea before United States District Court Judge Paul A. Magnuson.

In his plea agreement, Matthews admitted that on January 31, 2013, he possessed the multiple nine-millimeter, hollow-point bullets. Matthews was a passenger in a vehicle stopped for a traffic violation, and the ammunition was found inside the jacket Matthews was wearing. Because he is a felon, Matthews is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time. Matthews’s prior Hennepin County convictions include aggravated robbery (2007) and simple robbery (2012).

For his crimes, Matthews faces a potential maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison. Judge Magnuson will determine his sentence at a future hearing, yet to be scheduled. This case is the result of an investigation by the Minneapolis Police Department, and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Surya Saxena.