Project Safe Neighborhoods

>> Rahsaan Latif Sloan Receives a Mandatory Minimum Sentence of 15 Years for Being an Armed Career Criminal

PORTLAND, OREGON— RAHSANN LATIF SLOAN was sentenced to prison for a term of 180 months this afternoon by U.S. District Court Judge Anna J. Brown following his earlier plea of guilty to being an Armed Career Criminal. In drive-by shootings on July 17 and 18, 2005, SLOAN fired shots toward a group of individuals in Alberta Park. Portland Police Bureau gang officers believed the shootings to be gang-related.

Although no one was injured in the shootings, during the first episode, one stray bullet hit a passing mini-van occupied by three people. During the second incident, a stray bullet went through the window of a nearby residence. A total of 16 shell casings were found at the scene by the officers. Witnesses obtained a license plate number to the vehicle, which was registered to SLOAN. Police executed a search warrant at SLOAN’s residence on July 24, 2005 and recovered an Intratec 9mm semi-automatic handgun. That firearm was later identified through ballistic comparisons as being the gun used in the shootings at Alberta Park.

A mandatory minimum of 15 years was imposed under the Armed Career Criminal Act based upon SLOAN’s previous robbery conviction and two separate convictions for Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

"Prosecuting armed career criminals is a top priority for this office,” stated U.S. Attorney Karin J. Immergut. “Gang-related violent offenders who threaten our safety must be removed from our communities. Oregon residents should not be afraid to leave their homes and should be able to walk freely in the streets without worrying about becoming a victim of gun violence.

”This case was investigated by the Portland Police Bureau Gang Unit and special agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Fred Weinhouse.

Further inquiries can be directed to Assistant United States Attorney Fred Weinhouse, 503-727-1014.

All media inquiries about Project Safe Neighborhoods in Oregon should be directed to:

Fred Weinhouse
Assistant U.S. Attorney
U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Oregon
503-727-1000
E-mail: Fred Weinhouse