Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Spokane – Joseph H. Harrington, Acting United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Washington, announced that Christopher Allen Cain, age 52, of Spokane, Washington, was sentenced today for being in possession of methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. United States District Court Judge Rosanna Malouf Petersen sentenced Cain, an armed career criminal, to a 300-month term of imprisonment and a five-year term of court supervision following release from Federal prison.

 

According to information disclosed during court proceedings, a Washington State Patrol Trooper, during the course of a traffic stop of Cain, observed a glass-smoking device commonly used for smoking methamphetamine in close proximity to Cain. Upon further investigation, the Washington State Patrol Trooper observed, in plain view, a handgun on the driver’s side floor board. After securing a search warrant for the vehicle Cain was driving, Washington State Patrol Troopers located a handgun with one round of ammunition loaded in the chamber and another nine rounds of ammunition in the magazine. In close proximity to this firearm were two plastic bags containing methamphetamine. Also located in the vehicle were digital scales, small plastic bags, and additional rounds of ammunition. After a three-day jury trial, the jury return verdicts of guilty to both counts.

 

Joseph H. Harrington said, "Prosecuting drug-trafficking and firearms-related crimes continues to be a priority for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Washington. In addition to mandatory terms of imprisonment for methamphetamine-trafficking offenses, previously convicted felons and violent felons should be aware that there are serious criminal penalties connected with possessing any firearm, ammunition and body armor and that this Office is committed to prosecuting aggressively firearm-related cases in the Eastern District of Washington."

 

This case was investigated by the Washington State Patrol and the Spokane Resident Office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case was prosecuted by Earl A. Hicks and Patrick J. Cashman, Assistant United States Attorneys for the Eastern District of Washington.