SPOKANE, Wash. — A Spokane man with a history of domestic violence convictions was sentenced to federal prison for possessing a firearm.
According to court documents, on Sept. 6, 2022, Orlando Peterson, 34, got into an altercation with his ex-girlfriend at his home, pushed her down some stairs, and stole a 9mm handgun from her purse. After the ex-girlfriend left, Peterson found her a short distance away and confronted her while holding the handgun.
Spokane police said they later contacted Peterson, who was in a car with another woman. The woman handed over an extended pistol magazine, which she claimed Peterson had asked her to hide.
Later that same day, police executed a search warrant at Peterson’s home and found the handgun he had taken, along with multiple rounds of ammunition. Peterson was prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition due to multiple convictions for misdemeanor domestic violence offenses.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office said Peterson was sentenced Wednesday after pleading guilty to one count of being a convicted domestic violence misdemeanor offender in possession of a firearm or ammunition. A judge imposed a 25-month prison sentence, followed by three years of supervised release.
“Firearms in the hands of convicted domestic abusers are an extreme danger to our families and our communities,” said ATF Seattle Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Blais. “This sentence is well justified and ensures that Mr. Peterson is safely away from our community for the imposed time period. We will always focus on investigating domestic abusers who use firearms to further their violent crimes.”
