Federal Jury Finds Bloods Gang Member Guilty of Illegal Possession of a Firearm

ST. PAUL, Minn. - A federal jury found a Brooklyn Center man guilty of possessing a firearm as a felon, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.

According to the evidence presented at trial, in the early morning hours of September 28, 2019, Dante Jospeh Tyus, 30, a member of the Minneapolis Bloods street gang, was stopped by the Minnesota State Patrol for driving erratically. Tyus, who showed obvious signs of intoxication, was arrested for driving under the influence. Tyus's vehicle was towed and impounded. After being booked at the Hennepin County Jail, Tyus made a series of recorded calls expressing concern to his girlfriend and enlisting her assistance in recovering a firearm that was hidden inside his vehicle. Law enforcement obtained a warrant to search the vehicle and recovered a 9mm semiautomatic handgun hidden inside a door panel.

Because Tyus has prior felony convictions in Hennepin County, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

Following a four-day trial in U.S. District Court before Judge Susan Richard Nelson, Tyus was found guilty of possessing a firearm as a felon. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Minnesota State Patrol, and the Minneapolis Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carla J. Baumel and Allen A. Slaughter tried the case.