Minneapolis Career Criminal Sentenced for Possessing a .32–Caliber Revolver and Ammunition

MINNEAPOLIS — Earlier today, a career criminal was sentenced in federal court for possessing a .32–caliber revolver and ammunition. United States District Court Chief Judge Michael J. Davis sentenced Eugene Maurice Clanton, age 36, of Minneapolis, to 224 months in prison on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Clanton was indicted on December 15, 2010, and pleaded guilty on February 11, 2011.

In his plea agreement, Clanton admitted that on November 20, 2010, he became belligerent while in the Hennepin County Medical Center’s pharmacy and ended up struggling with police. During that altercation, officers seized from him a .32–caliber revolver, which was loaded with four live rounds. Clanton assaulted one of the officers and fled the scene before being taken into custody a short time later.

Because he is a felon, Clanton is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time. Clanton’s prior convictions include second–degree assault (1995), felon in possession of a firearm (1996), third–degree sale of a controlled substance (2002), and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute crack cocaine (2004). Since at least three of those offenses were crimes of violence or serious drug crimes, Clanton was subject to the federal armed career criminal statute in this case. That statute mandates a 15–year minimum prison sentence.

Clanton was charged federally through Project Exile Minneapolis. That law enforcement initiative was launched on July 22, 2010, as part of a City–wide effort to reduce gun violence. Through Project Exile, the Minneapolis Police Department and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives work together to apprehend serial criminals for violations of gun laws. Then, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office teams up with the U.S. Attorney’s Office to determine where those offenders will most effectively be prosecuted – state or federal court. Those determinations are based on the offenders’ criminal histories and current charges, among other factors. To date, the U.S. Attorney’s Office has brought charges against more than 15 serious habitual criminals through Project Exile Minneapolis.

This particular case was the result of an investigation by the Minneapolis Police Department and the Violent Crime Impact Team at the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Thomas M. Hollenhorst.