Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Alaska Man Found Guilty of Possessing Firearms as a Convicted Felon
Anchorage, Alaska – Acting U.S. Attorney Bryan Schroder announced today that an Alaska man was found guilty on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2017, of being a felon in possession of a firearm. The man possessed two rifles and many rounds of ammunition after having been convicted in Alaska State Court of three felonies, including assault in the third degree.
On Dec. 29, 2016, Joseph Kuzmin, 40, of Voznesenka, Alaska, was arrested by the Alaska State Troopers (AST) after he reportedly assaulted his teenage son. Voznesenka is about 20 miles east of Homer. AST referred the case to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).
ATF searched Kuzmin’s home in January 2017 and found two rifles and the ammunition. Federal law prohibits felons from possessing rifles, in addition to other types of firearms.
According to Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonas Walker, the jury heard evidence that Kuzmin physically assaulted his son, then threatened to shoot him, and another relative, and any police officers who responded.
Sentencing has been scheduled for Feb. 5, 2018. Kuzmin faces up to 10 years in federal prison.
The State of Alaska originally charged Kuzmin with assaulting his son, but dismissed the assault case before trial.
Acting U.S. Attorney Schroder commended ATF and AST, who conducted the investigation of this case.
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