PATRICK JEROME HOLSWORTH, 67, of Seattle, Washington, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Seattle to two years in prison, up to 6 months in a half way house, and three years of supervised release for Possession of a Stolen Firearm. HOLSWORTH was arrested February 7, 2008, following the investigation of an apartment burglary. He pleaded guilty May 6, 2008. At sentencing Judge Thomas S. Zilly noted that HOLSWORTH’s age and extremely poor health was “a large factor in my not giving you a longer sentence.”

According to records filed in the case, the resident of a Ballard apartment complex reported his Ruger 9 mm semi-automatic pistol had been stolen from his apartment on July 24, 2007. About two months later, an automated reporting system showed that the gun had been pawned at a pawnshop on Aurora Avenue in early August 2007. The person who pawned the gun, HOLSWORTH, was the manager of the apartment complex where the gun had been stolen. The gun owner told police HOLSWORTH had seen the resident’s Ruger when HOLSWORTH had allowed a plumber to enter the apartment using his pass key. In his plea agreement, HOLSWORTH does not admit stealing the gun, but admits that he knew the gun was stolen when he pawned it at the Aurora pawn shop.

HOLSWORTH has a lengthy criminal history in Washington State dating back to 1960, including two counts of Grand Larceny (1960, 1961), Robbery (1964), Burglary (1980), Robbery (1985), and Theft (1987). HOLSWORTH also has numerous federal convictions in the Western District of Washington, including two counts of Bank Robbery (1989), three counts of Armed Bank Robbery (1989), Carrying a Firearm during a Crime of Violence (1989) and a Bank Robbery conviction from Oregon (1990).

At sentencing Special Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Colasurdo citing HOLSWORTH’s violent criminal past, argued for an eight year sentence. Mr. Colasurdo said HOLSWORTH “was a shadow of his younger, stronger self, but still had the strength to pull the trigger” on the stolen gun. Judge Zilly said he was troubled that HOLSWORTH had held onto the gun for 30 to 45 days before pawning it. “Were you contemplating another crime of violence involving a firearm?” Judge Zilly asked rhetorically. Ultimately, the Judge said HOLSWORTH’s age and health were the reasons for a relatively short prison sentence.

HOLSWORTH was prosecuted as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods program. Unveiled by President George W. Bush in May 2001, Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), is a comprehensive and strategic approach to gun law enforcement. PSN is a nationwide commitment to reduce gun crime in America by networking both new and existing local programs that target gun crime and then providing them with the resources and tools they need to succeed. Implementation at the local level -- in this case, in King County -- has fostered close partnerships between federal, state and local prosecutors and law enforcement.

The case was investigated by the Seattle Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.

The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Andrew Colasurdo. Mr. Colasurdo is a Deputy King County Prosecutor specially designated to prosecute gun cases in federal court.

For additional information please contact Emily Langlie, Public Affairs Officer for the United States Attorney’s Office, at (206) 553-4110.

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