St. Paul Felon Pleads Guilty To Possessing A Stolen Firearm

MINNEAPOLIS — Earlier this week in federal court, a 31-year-old St. Paul man pleaded guilty to one count of Possession of a Stolen Firearm. Michael Anthony Vargas, who was charged via an Information on May 3, 2014, entered his guilty plea on June 3, 2014 before United States District Court Judge Joan N. Ericksen.

In his plea agreement, Vargas admitted that on January 8, 2014, he possessed a stolen Smith & Wesson 9-millimeter pistol, which was recovered during a traffic stop by the St. Paul Police Department.

For his crime, Vargas faces a potential maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. Judge Ericksen will determine his sentence at a future hearing, yet to be scheduled.

This case was the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Saint Paul Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney LeeAnn K. Bell.