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Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
District of Colorado

For Immediate Release

Monday, December 5, 2016
Robert C. Troyer
, United States Attorney
Contact: Jeff Dorschner

Ouray Resident Arrested by Federal and State Law Enforcement on Federal Firearms Charges

Defendant taken into custody by multiple law enforcement agencies as part of high risk arrest due to perceived dangerousness

DENVER – Jerome Andre Kimble, age 32, of Ouray, Colorado, was arrested late last week on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, Acting U.S. Attorney Bob Troyer and ATF Denver Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Ron Humphries announced.  The defendant, who is considered a serious threat to law enforcement, was arrested at a Montrose fast food restaurant during the middle of the day.
 
Kimble was charged by Criminal Complaint on December 1, 2016.  He was arrested by federal agents and state and local officers on December 2, 2016.  He appeared in U.S. District Court in Grand Junction today, where he was advised of his rights and the charges pending against him.  He is scheduled to appear for a detention hearing, also in Grand Junction, on December 8, 2016 at 2:00 p.m.
 
According to the Affidavit in support of the Criminal Complaint, on July 29, 2016, an Ouray Police Officer received information that Jerome Kimble had taken a firearm to his place of employment.  Kimble was showing the firearm to other employees while at work. He also offered it for sale.  The officer also learned that Kimble carries the firearm to his second job.  During that same time period, Kimble was terminated from his first job.  He then made threatening comments toward the businesses’ customers, as well as toward an employee. 
 
On August 1, 2016, the Ouray officer learned Kimble sold the firearm to a male juvenile.  On October 31, 2016, the juvenile and his father brought the weapon to the Ouray Police Department and provided written and verbal statements regarding from whom the minor obtained the firearm.  Kimble told the minor that he needed money.  The firearm was ultimately sole for $180 in cash.  The officer also learned that Kimble walked around town wearing an open carry holster with a large black handle pistol. 
 
During the course of the investigation it was determined that Kimble was convicted of two counts of Felony Second Degree Burglary in Santa Clara County, California Superior Court, thus making him a felon in possession of a firearm.  Kimble had a previous confrontation with Ouray Police Officers when he was arrested for a motor vehicle charge on October 18, 2016.  He then made multiple threats against the investigating officer and other Ouray officers, to include statements that Kimble knew where their spouses work.  He then said he would come back as an enemy of the State and would get even with every one of them for putting him in jail again.  Kimble was released on a $750 bond.
 
Due to the multiple serious threats to law enforcement, and the fact the defendant had access to firearms, law enforcement treated his arrest as high risk, utilizing agents and officers from multiple jurisdictions throughout the area.  The arrest was executed without incident.
 
If convicted, Kimble faces not more than 10 years in federal prison, and up to a $250,000 fine.
 
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).  Assisting ATF with the arrest of Kimble included the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Colorado Bureau of Investigation, the Ouray Police Department and the Montrose Police Department.
 
The defendant is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney and Grand Junction Branch Office Chief Peter Hautzinger.
 
The charges contained in the Criminal Complaint are allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  A Criminal Complaint is a probable cause charging document.  Anyone accused of committing a felony violation of federal law has a Constitutional right to be indicted by a federal grand jury.
 
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Denver Field Division