Bismarck man pleads guilty to burglary, possession of stolen firearm charges

U.S. Attorney Timothy Q. Purdon announced that on Monday, Brandin Decoteau, 23, of Bismarck, pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to a

charge of burglary and possession of a stolen firearm.

On April 14, 2010, Decoteau entered a home in the Belcourt area by kicking in the door and took a rifle, authorities said. Decoteau later sold the rifle to another person, who turned it into law enforcement officials upon learning the rifle was stolen.

The charge of burglary carries a statutory maximum penalty of five years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. The charge of possession of a stolen firearm carries a statutory maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and

Explosives and the Bureau of Indian Affairs - Turtle Mountain Agency.

Sentencing for Decoteau has been scheduled for 11 a.m. Feb. 27, 2012, in U.S. District Court in Minot.

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