Colorado Couple Sentenced in R.I. on Firearm Charges

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Jessica Garrett, 32, and John Baker, 39, of Wiggins, Colo., have been sentenced to federal prison for being felons in possession of a firearm. The couple, previously convicted of felony crimes, was arrested by Central Falls, R.I., police in May 2015, after an investigation resulted in the seizure of a loaded semi-automatic assault rifle from a truck the couple was traveling in.

Jessica Garrett was sentenced yesterday to 36 months in federal prison. Baker was sentenced today to 46 months in federal prison. Garrett and Baker were also ordered to serve 3 years supervised release upon completion of their prison terms. Garrett and Baker pleaded guilty in September to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The sentences, imposed by U.S. District Court Chief Judge William E. Smith, are announced by United States Attorney Peter F. Neronha and Central Falls Police Chief Colonel James J. Mendonca.

According to court records and information presented to the court, on May 13, 2015, Central Falls Police detectives developed information that a couple that recently arrived in Central Falls from Colorado was attempting to sell a firearm. The investigation determined that the firearm, a semi-automatic assault rifle, was being stored inside a pick-up truck in which the couple was traveling.

Later that evening, detectives approached the couple as they were attempting to enter the pick-up truck. John Baker was immediately detained. Jessica Garrett was apprehended as she attempted to flee. Inside Garrett’s handbag detectives found a magazine containing 12 rounds of rifle ammunition. During a court authorized search of the truck, which had Iowa license plates and that had recently been reported stolen in Colorado, detectives seized a loaded semi-automatic assault rifle with 28 rounds of ammunition. Baker and Garrett have been detained since their arrest.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lee H. Vilker.

ATF assisted Central Falls Police Department detectives in the investigation of this matter.

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