November 24, 2009
AURORA MAN FOUND GUILTY OF ILLEGALLY POSSESSING FIREARM AND AMMUNITION
DENVER – Shun Lamar Birch, age 28, of Aurora, Colorado, was found guilty late last week of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, United States Attorney David Gaouette and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Richard Chase announced. Birch was convicted following a three-day jury trial before Chief U.S. District Court Judge Wiley Y. Daniel. The jury deliberated for less than an hour before reaching their guilty verdicts. Birch, who appeared at the trial in custody, was remanded pending sentencing, which is scheduled for February 9, 2010.
Shun Lamar Birch was indicted by a federal grand jury in Denver on January 29, 2009. In addition to the federal firearm charges, Birch faces state murder charges in relation to the alleged murder of Kalonniann Clark. He was convicted of the federal charges on November 19, 2009.
According to the indictment for which Birch was found guilty and facts presented during the trial, on November 19, 2008, Birch, having been previously convicted of a crime, knowingly possessed a firearm and ammunition. Namely, Birch had a prior conviction in 2007 in Adams County for possession with intent to distribute marijuana. Officers found two shotguns, a .45 caliber pistol, and numerous rounds of ammunition in his Aurora townhouse. It is a violation of federal law for felons to possess firearms or ammunition.
“Thanks to the excellent work of the Denver Police Department, the ATF, and other local law enforcement agencies, the defendant has been convicted of a serious federal firearm crime,” said U.S. Attorney David Gaouette.
“ATF’s mission is to target gangs as well as those offenders who instill violence in our communities,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Richard Chase. “The illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition are the tools of the trade for violent offenders. The great police work by this coordinated team of investigators from the Aurora and Denver Police Departments, the FLAG unit, and ATF led to an airtight federal case and help ensured Mr. Birch will be destined for federal prison.”
Birch faces up to 10 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine, for his felonious conduct.
This case was investigated by the Denver Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the FLAG Unit (Fugitive Location and Apprehension Group), the Denver Police Department Fugitive Unit, and the Aurora Police Department Fugitive Apprehension and Surveillance Team.
Birch is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Richard Hosley and Kasandra Carleton.
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