Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the unsealing of a federal indictment charging TRAVON LAVELLE BLACKMAN, 23, and MICHAEL EUGENE HUNTER, 21, with one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. BLACKMAN made his initial appearance on July 17, 2020, and HUNTER made his initial appearance earlier today before Magistrate Judge Katherine M. Menendez in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

According to allegations in the indictment, between April 30, 2020 and May 5, 2020, BLACKMAN and HUNTER were in possession of a Glock, model 22, .40-caliber semiautomatic pistol, with an attached 50-round drum magazine. Because BLACKMAN and HUNTER both have prior felony convictions, they are prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the Minneapolis Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. This case was brought as part of the Twin Cities Violent Crime Task Force, a multi-agency effort that brings together additional federal and state resources to assist local law enforcement to investigate, arrest, and prosecute individuals responsible for gun violence in the Twin Cities. For more information about the Twin Cities Violent Crime Task Force, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/united-states-attorney-announces-new-....

Assistant U.S. Attorney Benjamin Bejar is prosecuting the case.

The charges contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Defendant Information:

TRAVON LAVELLE BLACKMAN, a/k/a "Ruger," a/k/a "Ruger Moe," a/k/a "Gargy," 23
Minneapolis, Minn.
Charges: Felon in possession of a firearm, 1 count

MICHAEL EUGENE HUNTER, a/k/a "Mike Moe," 21
Minneapolis, Minn.
Charges: Felon in possession of a firearm, 1 count

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