Sex offender sentenced to federal prison on gun charges

MARQUETTE — U.S. Attorney Patrick A. Miles, Jr. announced the recent sentencing of Joseph John Holm, Jr., who was convicted of being a convicted felon in possession of firearms.

Agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) assisted by detectives from the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team (UPSET) and officers from the Forsyth Township Police Department searched Holm’s residence in Gwinn, Michigan last December. They discovered 10 firearms including an Olympic Arms .223 caliber rifle that is similar to the popular AR-15-style assault rifle. They also found four high capacity magazines to go with this rifle. Holm was prohibited from possessing firearms because of his criminal record, specifically his prior felony convictions for criminal sexual conduct in the second degree and failure to register as a sex offender. Holm was arrested the day of the search and later indicted by a federal grand jury.

During the sentencing hearing, U.S. District Court Judge Robert Holmes Bell noted that he was disturbed by the fact that Holm used methamphetamine while released on bond pending trial. Judge Bell sentenced Holm to five years in prison to be followed by three years of supervised release.

ATF Special Agent in Charge Robin Shoemaker thanked the members of the Upper Peninsula Substance Enforcement Team and the Forsyth Township Police Department for their investigative efforts. She noted that the sentence imposed on Holm addresses the seriousness of his conduct and hopefully serves as a deterrent to others that may possess firearms Illegally.