FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
JASON HARRIS PLEADS GUILTY IN U.S. FEDERAL COURT
Bill Mercer, United States Attorney for the District of Montana, announced today that during a federal court session in Great Falls on November 6, 2007, before U.S. District Judge Sam E. Haddon, JASON HARRIS, a 23-year-old resident of Havre, pled guilty to making a false statement during a firearm transaction. Sentencing is set for February 4, 2008. He is currently detained.
In an Offer of Proof filed by the United States, the government stated it would have proved at trial the following:
On January 30, 2007, Tri-Agency Safe Trails Task Force agents executed a search warrant at HARRIS' house in Box Elder. A Ruger .22 caliber rifle was recovered from between the mattress and box springs of HARRIS' bed. The officers also located marijuana (approximately 95 grams packaged in 1/8 ounce packages) and drug paraphernalia.
During an interview later the same day, HARRIS admitted to ownership and possession of the firearm. HARRIS also admitted to long-term use of marijuana. He stated that he had used 1/8 of an ounce every day or two since he was a juvenile - at least five years.
HARRIS admitted that on October 31, 2006, he went to Strombergs Sinclair & Hunt Sports in Havre and filled out an ATF Form 4473 when he purchased the Ruger .22 caliber rifle. On the form, HARRIS denied that he was an unlawful user of, or addicted to, marijuana, or any depressant, stimulant, or narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance by writing, "no" to question 11e. By this answer, the employee at Strombergs Sinclair & Hunt Sports proceeded with selling HARRIS the rifle. HARRIS further admitted that had he truthfully completed the form, he would not have received the firearm.
HARRIS faces possible penalties of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine and 3 years supervised release.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Paulette L. Stewart prosecuted the case for the United States.
The investigation was conducted by the Tri-Agency Safe Trails Task Force.
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A copy of the Offer of Proof can be obtained by contacting Sally Frank at (406) 247-4638.
