Minnesota felon arrested for possession of a firearm

On November 27, a Crook County Sheriff’s Office deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle that was traveling at 87 mph in a 75 mph zone.

The driver, Willie Moorehead, allegedly stated he was trying to get home from his job in Sheridan. When asked for his license, registration and insurance, Moorehead “became nervous” and said his license was in court for traffic violations.

Moorehead allegedly admitted he might have warrants from other states, but said none were extraditable. He also stated that he had a “little bit” of marijuana in his vehicle and had a license for medicinal use.

Based on this admission, the deputy conducted a search of Moorehead and his vehicle and located marijuana in an amount less than 3 oz and a firearm.

On discovering the firearm, the deputy detained Moorehead in his vehicle. The deputy checked the firearm through the National Crime Information Center and found it was stolen from Inglewood, California.

Moorehead allegedly claimed the firearm belonged to his grandfather. According to court documents, a check of Moorehead’s history showed multiple felony convictions for violent crimes.

Moorehead faces felony charges of possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a violent felony and theft, as well as misdemeanor counts of possession of a controlled substance and driving under suspension.

Moorehead has 16 prior convictions in Minnesota between 1986 and 1997 for crimes including assault, robbery, armed criminal action, distribution/delivery/production and theft of a motor vehicle.