Red Lake man pleads guilty in federal court

A 53-year-old Red Lake man pleaded guilty in federal court Monday to illegally possessing firearm ammunition.

Edward Dean Cook Sr. pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of ammunition. He entered his plea before U.S. District Court Judge Richard H. Kyle.

According to a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice:

Cook admitted that on June 12, he possessed unexpended shotgun shells in the cab of his vehicle. Because he is a felon, he is prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms or ammunition at any time.

He previously was convicted of a felony in 1992 for assaulting a law enforcement officer.

At about 2 a.m. June 12, Red Lake police officers were told that Cook was outside a residence on the Red Lake reservation in a pickup truck and was believed to be in possession of a firearm. Cook left the area and returned at 4 a.m., at which time he allegedly began shooting at the residence. Police responded and Cook led them on a 44-mile chase. The police cornered the truck. Cook hit a police car as he tried to flee, but his truck got caught on a log and he was arrested. Discharged cartridge casings and unexpended rounds of ammunition were found in the vehicle.

Cook faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.