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Press Release

Lane County Man Pleads Guilty in Federal Court to Being a Fellow in Possession of a Firearm

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Oregon

EUGENE, Ore. – On Tuesday, January 13, 2015, Christopher Shaun Kanatzar, 28, a resident of Springfield, Oregon, appeared before U. S. District Court Chief Judge Ann Aiken and pled guilty to felon in possession of a firearm. Kanatzar admitted possessing a loaded 9 mm caliber pistol and faces a ten-year maximum prison term and three years of post-prison supervision.

After accepting the guilty plea, Chief Judge Aiken scheduled Kanatzar’s sentencing hearing for March 17, 2015. 

According to court documents and statements made in court, on October 1, 2012, Springfield police attempted to stop Kanatzar who was driving a stolen car.  Kanatzar attempted to elude police and after a violent struggle, was taken into custody.  Inside the stolen vehicle, police located a pistol which Kanatzar had used to rob a man.

In 2012, Kanatzar was charged in state court with robbery, assault and driving offenses.  His guilty plea and admissions were part of a resolution of his federal and state charges.

Kanatzar was also convicted in 2006 for shooting at a man and a school administration building, first degree burglary and first degree theft.

This case was investigated by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, and the Springfield Police Department.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Frank R. Papagni, Jr., with the assistance of Lane County Deputy District Attorney Erik Hasselman, prosecuted the case.

Updated February 5, 2015

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