DENVER – The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado announces Brian Shamar Thompson, age 35, of Denver, pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute.

According to the plea agreement, on March 31, 2022, at 9:23 p.m., officers were dispatched to the 3300 block of North Cherry Street in Denver regarding a report of multiple shots fired. When officers arrived, they observed Brian Shamar Thompson, who matched the subject description, along with a white SUV which had an expired registration in his name.

While looking into the vehicle from the outside, officers observed a black pistol with an extended magazine wedged between the driver’s seat and the center console. The handle was sticking out with the barrel toward the floor. After seizure, the firearm was determined to be a Glock, model 22, .40 caliber pistol. Inserted into the semi-automatic pistol was a high-capacity magazine which was capable of holding more than 15 rounds of ammunition. The firearm was loaded with one round of .40 caliber ammunition in the chamber and twelve rounds of .40 caliber ammunition in the magazine. Multiple expended shell casings (both .40 cal. and 9mm) were located at the scene. Subsequent investigation tied seized 9mm shell cases to additional unlawful discharge investigations occurring over the preceding weeks.

Thompson was detained and placed in the back of a patrol car. When officers checked his criminal history, they found that he had been convicted of multiple felonies. Thus, he was a prohibited possessor of firearms. Notably, on June 8, 2017, Thompson was previously arrested for possession of a weapon by previous offender. Thompson pleaded guilty in United States District Court of Colorado (case #2017CR218) and was sentenced on December 1, 2017. He was on federal supervised release when he was again arrested on March 31, 2022.

When officers checked on Thompson in the back seat of the patrol car, they noticed a large amount of white powder (later determined to be cocaine) on the floor and seat of the vehicle under Thompson and on his clothing. Thompson also had a bag of cocaine in his hands behind his back.

Judge Daniel D. Domenico presided over the change of plea hearing on September 20, 2022. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced on January 12, 2023. The defendant is in custody pending sentencing.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Denver Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bradley Giles.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Our nationwide commitment to reducing gun violence in America.

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