MINNEAPOLIS — A convicted felon who took possession of a stolen FBI rifle and silencer during a violent civil disturbance in Minneapolis has been sentenced to 54 months in federal prison.
Raul Gutierrez Jr., 33, of Inver Grove Heights, was sentenced Monday, July 27, 2026, by U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim for being a felon in possession of firearms.
According to federal court documents, Gutierrez participated in a violent disturbance in Minneapolis on Jan. 14, 2026, when he and others broke into a vehicle belonging to the FBI.
The vehicle had already been extensively damaged and its rear hatch was open when an accomplice arrived. Authorities said the accomplice broke into a vault in the vehicle’s cargo area and removed a rifle bag and a satchel of ammunition.
The bag contained a semiautomatic rifle and a silencer, both considered firearms under federal law.
The accomplice handed the bag to Gutierrez, who carried it to his own vehicle and drove away. Gutierrez abandoned the firearms a short time later, and the accomplice then took them to his home.
Gutierrez (pictured at top) was prohibited from possessing firearms because of prior felony convictions for burglary of a building in Dunn County, Wisconsin, and domestic assault-strangulation in Ramsey County, Minnesota.
Federal authorities said Gutierrez was located and arrested only hours after the FBI weapon was stolen.
“Today’s sentencing reflects my office’s commitment to taking dangerous individuals off the streets and protecting the people of Minnesota,” U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen said. “Stealing FBI firearms during a violent disturbance poses an unacceptable risk to public safety.”
FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Christopher D. Dotson said violence, theft and destruction of public property have no place in lawful demonstrations.
“Criminal behavior like the theft of law enforcement weapons endangers the law-abiding public engaged in First Amendment expression,” Dotson said. “This sentence proves there are serious consequences for those who seek to use lawful demonstrations as a cover for criminal behavior.”
Acting ATF St. Paul Special Agent in Charge Spence Burnett said the danger extended well beyond the unrest once a convicted felon gained control of the rifle and silencer.
Gutierrez pleaded guilty May 5, 2026.
His accomplice, Alexio Miranda, pleaded guilty June 26, 2026, to possessing a stolen firearm. Miranda is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 28, 2026.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the FBI and the Hennepin County Violent Offender Task Force.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Campbell Warner and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeanne Semivan prosecuted the case.