Felon Sentenced to Seven Years in Prison for Weapons Charge
Las Vegas, Nev. – A Las Vegas man with two prior felony convictions has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison for possessing a handgun and using it to fire at another individual who was driving away in an automobile, announced U.S. Attorney Greg Brower of the District of Nevada.
"This is yet another example of our zero-tolerance policy when it comes to felons possessing firearms," said U.S. Attorney Brower. "If you are a felon and you are caught with a firearm, you will be prosecuted, and you will be sent back to prison."
Lee Mitchell, 26, was sentenced on July 24, 2009, by U.S. District Judge James C. Mahan to 84 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release for his guilty plea to felon in possession of a firearm. On September 6, 2008, Mitchell and another man were sitting separately inside the Sportsman's Royal Club, located on the Boulder Highway in Las Vegas. When the other man left the club, Mitchell followed him outside the bar to his vehicle, which was parked next to Mitchell's. When the other man backed out of his parking spot and began to drive away, Mitchell fired shots in the direction of the man's vehicle. When Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department Officers were called to the scene, Mitchell attempted to hide his firearm and fled in his automobile. Police attempted to stop Mitchell, but Mitchell drove away at a high rate of speed. The police officers pursued Mitchell, who was driving recklessly all over the road and traveling at estimated speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, showing no regard for the safety of other motorists. In attempting to escape, Mitchell intentionally rammed three different marked police vehicles. Mitchell was eventually taken into custody when his vehicle became disabled. Mitchell has prior felony convictions in Washington and Nevada for malicious mischief and assault with a deadly weapon, respectively.
The case was investigated by the Southern Nevada Project Safe Neighborhoods Task Force and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric Johnson.
