Minneapolis Man Sentenced to 70 Months in Federal Prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA – A Minneapolis man with a lengthy history of violent crime has been sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm.
On July 10, 2025, U.S. District Court sentenced Jiwayne Lavelle Chatman, 38, to 70 months in prison (5 years and 10 months), followed by three years of supervised release. He was also ordered to pay a $100 special assessment fee. Chatman will remain in federal custody.
Case Background
Chatman’s federal conviction stems from an arrest on July 23, 2024, when members of the Hennepin County Violent Offender Task Force (VOTF) located him in Minneapolis while acting on an outstanding pickup order.
During the arrest, officers found a pouch attached to Chatman’s belt containing four rounds of Fiocchi .380 caliber ammunition. A search of the Chevrolet Impala he was standing near revealed a Ruger LCP .380 caliber semiautomatic pistol hidden in the center console. The firearm’s serial number had been obliterated.
Chatman later admitted in a Mirandized interview that the gun was his and said he carried it for “personal protection.”
Sentencing Arguments
The U.S. Attorney’s Office recommended a mid-range sentence of 75 months, citing Chatman’s Category V criminal history and repeated involvement in violent offenses. Prosecutors emphasized his pattern of gun-related crimes, history of domestic violence, drug use, and multiple violations of supervised release.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Ruth Shnider described Chatman’s conduct as “particularly concerning given his history of violence” and noted that previous sentences, ranging from 15 to 58 months, had failed to deter him. Court documents, including a Presentence Investigation Report (PSR) stated that Chatman reportedly had a stable childhood and close family ties growing up, but that he also struggled with substance abuse and mental health issues, including a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Prosecutors argued that his pattern of criminal behavior shows he has not yet committed himself to treatment or rehabilitation related to that diagnosis.
Despite those arguments, the court ultimately imposed a 70-month sentence, which still falls within the recommended 70 to 87 month guideline range.
Criminal History
Chatman’s criminal record includes convictions for:
Second-degree assault (armed robbery)
Terroristic threats (threatening the mother of his child)
Felony domestic abuse no-contact order violation
Felony theft
First-degree aggravated robbery (armed robbery during a drug deal)
His longest prior prison sentence was 58 months in 2019 for aggravated robbery.
Though he has not been directly charged in connection with a Burnsville homicide, Chatman’s arrest stems from the ongoing investigation related to that incident, which occurred on July 9, 2024.
With his sentencing complete, Chatman now begins serving his 70-month federal prison term. The court dismissed a second count of ammunition possession as part of his guilty plea agreement.
Provided by Sherburne County Sheriff.
Written by: Will Wight
Case images were from court documents..
