A Minneapolis man has been sentenced to six years in prison for illegally possessing a firearm, as announced by Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. The individual, George Matthews IV, 34, will also face three years of supervised release following his prison term.
The incident occurred on June 11, 2024, when an anonymous 911 call reported that a man had threatened another passenger with a firearm on a light-rail train in Minneapolis. The caller described the suspect and mentioned he was carrying a blue nylon drawstring backpack containing the weapon.
Police responded to the scene at Lake Street and Hiawatha Avenue and identified Matthews based on the description provided. When officers approached him, Matthews fled and abandoned the backpack. Inside it, authorities found a Kimber Micro 9mm pistol loaded with one round in the chamber and four rounds in the magazine. Matthews was apprehended shortly thereafter while wearing a Smith & Wesson belt clip.
Due to prior felony convictions for aggravated robbery, Matthews is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms. He pleaded guilty to one count of illegal possession of a firearm as a felon on September 11, 2024.
Judge John R. Tunheim sentenced Matthews on January 15, 2025, in U.S. District Court.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with Metro Transit Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew D. Forbes prosecuted the case.