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Minn. Felon Pleads Guilty To Weapons Charge

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A Minnesota man with suspected ties to white supremacist groups has pleaded guilty to a weapons charge.

Thirty-one-year-old Samuel James Johnson of Austin pleaded guilty Wednesday to being a felon in possession of firearms.

In his plea agreement, Johnson admitted he possessed a semi-automatic assault rifle on Nov. 4, 2010. He was indicted in April on weapons charges.

Johnson's criminal history includes convictions in Mower County for attempted robbery, robbery, possession of a short-barreled shotgun, and sale of a simulated controlled substance.

Prosecutors say because of his record, Johnson faces a minimum of 15 years in federal prison. The maximum sentence is life in prison.

A sentencing date has not been set.

(© Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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