Career Criminal Sentenced For Possessing A Nine-millimeter Pistol

MINNEAPOLIS—Earlier today in federal court, a 45-year-old career criminal was sentenced for possessing a nine-millimeter pistol. United States District Court Judge Joan N. Ericksen sentenced Michael Dennis Stanke, of Lino Lakes, to 180 months in prison on one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Stanke was indicted on June 11, 2012, and pleaded guilty on August 9, 2012.

In his plea agreement, Stanke admitted that on March 8, 2012, while visiting his mother at her residence, he took a nine-millimeter Norinco pistol from the house. He then stole a neighbor’s vehicle from a nearby driveway. A few hours later, Minnetonka police stopped the car Stanke was driving and arrested him. The officers found the loaded firearm lying on the front passenger seat, loaded with seven rounds in the magazine.

Because he is a felon, Stanke was prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm at any time. His prior Ramsey County convictions include third-degree burglary (1989), theft (1989), fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle (1991), theft of a motor vehicle (1993), first-degree assault (2000), and first-degree aggravated robbery (2000). In addition, Stanke was convicted in Hennepin County for theft in 1996 and Dakota County for theft of a motor vehicle in 1997.

Since at least three of those offenses constituted crimes of violence, Stanke’s sentence in the current federal case was subject to the federal Armed Career Criminal Act. That act mandates a minimum of 15 years in federal prison. Because the federal criminal justice system does not have parole, Stanke will spend virtually his entire sentence behind bars.

This case was the result of an investigation by the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Minnetonka Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Allen A. Slaughter.