Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN — U.S. Attorney Patrick Miles announced that 43-year-old Khamdeng Sam Phanthourath, of Holland, was sentenced recently to 68 months in prison, following his conviction for possessing firearms and ammunition as a felon. He also received a $1,500 fine. A three-year term of supervised release will follow Phanthourath’s prison term.

The U.S. Attorney brought charges against Phanthourath after the West Michigan Enforcement Team (WEMET) executed a search warrant at his home on June 15, 2016. At the sentencing hearing before Chief U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker, the U.S. Attorney’s Office introduced evidence that investigating officers found 26 firearms, muzzle loader guns, thousands of rounds of ammunition, a homemade silencer, body armor, marijuana, more than 800 pills (including narcotics, suboxone, and methylphenidate), more than $9,000 cash, and a police scanner set to the Ottawa County Sheriff’s Frequency. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) determined that at least one of the firearms was stolen. Phanthourath had previously been convicted of, among other things, breaking and entering a building with intent and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

“The U.S. Attorney’s Office is dedicated to the mission of keeping firearms out of the hands of dangerous felons and drug dealers,” said U.S. Attorney Patrick Miles. “The U.S. Attorney’s Office and ATF work closely with local law enforcement to investigate, identify, and prosecute individuals who pose a threat to our community.”

“Holland Township residents can sleep better tonight knowing another dangerous criminal is behind bars,” said Special Agent in Charge Robin Shoemaker. “ATF will continue to partner with local and state law enforcement agencies to bring criminals to justice and restore peace in our neighborhoods.”

“The West Michigan Enforcement Team has shared a great relationship with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Michigan for several years,” said Detective First Lieutenant Andrew Fias, Section Commander of WEMET. “It is a partnership that has led to successful prosecutions at the federal level. We are also very fortunate to have excellent relationships with ATF and our other federal law enforcement partners. WEMET has investigated numerous cases in the Holland area with ATF, curbing violent crime that has plagued this community. This case is a great example of many.”

The case was investigated by WEMET and ATF. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sally Berens prosecuted the case.

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