Duluth felon pleads guilty to possessing a firearm
A 31-year-old felon from Duluth pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Duluth to possessing a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol. Nicholas James Worden pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm before United States District Court Chief Judge Michael J. Davis. Worden was indicted on September 9, 2010.
In his plea agreement, Worden admitted that on October 7, 2009, he possessed a Smith & Wesson .40 caliber pistol. Because he is a felon, Worden is prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition at any time. Worden's prior felony convictions, all in St. Louis County, include first-degree burglary in 1999, check forgery in 2000, and offering a forged check in 2001.
For his crime, Worden faces a potential maximum penalty of ten years in prison. Judge Davis will determine his sentence at a future hearing, yet to be scheduled.
This case is the result of an investigation by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Lake Superior Drug and Gang Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael A. Dees.
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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