Charles Edward Jackson Sentenced in U.S. District Court
The United States Attorney's Office announced that during a federal court session in Great Falls, on July 10, 2012, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, CHARLES EDWARD JACKSON, a 39-year-old resident of Great Falls, appeared for sentencing. JACKSON was sentenced to a term of:
- Prison: 96 months
- Special Assessment: $100
- Forfeiture: firearm
- Supervised Release: 3 years
JACKSON was sentenced in connection with his guilty plea to being a felon-inpossession of a firearm.
In an Offer of Proof filed by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette L. Stewart, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
In 1994, 1996, and 1997, JACKSON was convicted of felony charges in the State of Washington, which thereby prohibited him from possessing firearms.
On October 2, 2011, a witness heard JACKSON cocking a gun while the witness and JACKSON were arguing - he was inside his residence, the witness was outside a window of his residence. The witness recorded their conversation where the gun being cocked can be heard.
JACKSON then shot the revolver, likely toward the witness, as the witness was complaining to an officer with the GFPD who was in the area. The officer heard four gunshots. The officer also believed that shots were being fired in their direction. JACKSON was arrested by the GFPD on October 2, 2011.
While executing a search warrant for the firearm, the officer located the revolver in the floor joists near JACKSON's mother's apartment which is located directly below his. The firearm located was a Taurus .357 revolver.
During the booking process, officers overheard JACKSON talking on the phone. JACKSON asked his mother to locate "his wallet" and described the area where GFPD located the revolver. JACKSON was visibly upset and made a statement about the cops having "it."
GFPD officers also executed a search warrant for gunshot residue. The results were negative for JACKSON's hands, but positive for his face. JACKSON then made a statement about shooting 2 weeks prior to the test.
Because there is no parole in the federal system, the "truth in sentencing" guidelines mandate that JACKSON will likely serve all of the time imposed by the court. In the federal system, JACKSON does have the opportunity to earn a sentence reduction for "good behavior." However, this reduction will not exceed 15% of the overall sentence.
The investigation was a cooperative effort between the GFPD and the ATF.
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