MINNEAPOLIS – Yesterday in federal court, a 31-year-old felon was sentenced for possessing two nine-millimeter pistols. United States District Court Judge David S. Doty sentence Bryan Wallace Burford, of Big Lake, to 96 months in prison on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Burford was indicted on December 20, 2011, and pleaded guilty on February 21, 2012.
In his plea agreement, Burford admitted that on August 18, 2011, he possessed the two pistols. On that date, he was arrested by the USMS at a Brooklyn Park motel on outstanding state fugitive warrants. Authorities found a loaded pistol in his waistband. Then, during the execution of a search warrant in the hotel room, they discovered the second gun, along with an extended magazine holding 23 rounds of ammunition.
Because he is a felon, Burford is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms at any time. His prior convictions include possession of a short-barreled gun in 2002, felony theft in 2006, third-degree possession of a controlled substance in 2003 and again in 2007, and fifth-degree possession of a controlled substance in 2005.
This case was the result of an investigation by the U.S. ATF and the USMS. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey S. Paulsen.
Note, this case is part of PSN, an initiative launched by the U.S. Justice Department in 2001 to promote a multi-jurisdictional, comprehensive approach to reducing gun crime in America. PSN provides resources to strengthen law enforcement and crime prevention partnerships working to make our streets and communities safer.
