Bemidji Armed Career Criminal Indicted for Possessing a .357–Revolver
MINNEAPOLIS — Yesterday in federal court, a 27–year–old armed career criminal from Bemidji was charged in a superseding indictment for possessing a .357–caliber revolver. The indictment charges Edward McCabe Robinson with one count of being an armed career criminal in possession of a firearm. The indictment alleges that on August 28, 2011, Robinson possessed the gun.
Because he is a felon, Robinson is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time. His prior convictions include first–degree burglary (juvenile adjudication) in Itasca County (1998), first–degree burglary in St. Louis County (2003) and felon in possession of a firearm as well as fleeing police in a motor vehicle in Anoka County (2007).Since at least three of Robinson’s past felony convictions were for crimes of violence or serious drug offenses, he is subject to the Armed Career Criminal Act in this case. That act mandates a minimum 15–year sentence if Robinson is convicted in the current federal case.
According to a law enforcement affidavit filed in the present federal case, Bemidji police arrested Robinson on August 28, at an apartment complex, on an outstanding warrant for a parole violation. Reportedly, an officer encountered Robinson at the rear of the complex. Specifically, the police officer came upon a group of men sitting on a patio. When the officer identified himself and asked the men to show their hands, a man, later identified as Robinson, allegedly ran into a nearby apartment. Inside the apartment, officers found Robinson hiding in a laundry room. After Robinson was arrested, officers found the weapon in the laundry room.
If convicted, Robinson faces a potential maximum penalty of life in prison. All sentences will be determined by a federal district court judge. This case is the result of an investigation by the Bemidji Police Department and the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Deidre Y. Aanstad.
Note, this case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive, strategic approach to reducing gun crime in America. PSN, launched by the U.S. Department of Justice in 2001, encourages cooperative, multi–jurisdictional law enforcement and crime prevention efforts.
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