Red Lake man charged as felon in possession of firearem

Donald E. Oswald, special agent in charge of the Minneapolis FBI Field Office, announced Thursday, June 30, that Edward Dean Cook Sr., 53, from the Red Lake Indian Reservation, appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Mary Kay Klein Thursday afternoon in Bemidji, following his arrest based upon a federal criminal complaint.

The complaint alleges that Cook is a convicted felon who was in possession of a firearm or ammunition affecting interstate or foreign commerce.

According to the criminal complaint:

During the early morning hours of June 12, the Red Lake Police Department received a call from Red Lake woman who reported that Cook was outside her residence and that he may have a gun. The woman called the RLPD back a short time later to inform the RLPD that Cook had left in a red Silverado pickup truck with a camper on it, bearing Red Lake tribal handicap license plates which included the number 134. At approximately 3 a.m., the RLPD received a call from Red Lake another Red Lake woman, who reported her father, Edward, was drinking and was in a vehicle with her 11-year-old son. At approximately 4 a.m., the first woman again called the RLPD and reported that someone was shooting at her house. A responding RLPD Officer arrived at the woman’s house and saw the red Silverado leave the area heading west.

After a pursuit that covered approximately 44 miles, the red Silverado pulled off a dirt road and behind a house. A RLPD Officer took cover on the passenger side of his police car, and saw Cook drive the red Silverado at a high rate of speed, smashing into the police car. The officer fired three shots at Cook just prior to Cook smashing into the police car. Cook attempted to flee the scene in the red Silverado, but the vehicle became hung up on a large log. Cook was then placed under arrest by RLPD officers. Cook’s 11-year-old grandson was in the passenger compartment of the truck, as were unexpended rounds of ammunition and discharged cartridge casings. No firearm was found. No officers were injured during the arrest of Cook.

On June 24, FBI Agents conducted a search of Cook’s red Silverado after obtaining a federal search warrant. Items seized included 18 shotgun shell casings in a bandolier, two spent shotgun shell casings, an open can of beer, and an empty medicine container bearing Cook’s name. The ammunition was subsequently identified by a representative of Federal Ammunition Company in Anoka, Minnesota, as Federal Upland Game Load, 2.75-inch, and a one ounce payload. The propellant used in the ammunition was obtained from Alliant Powder Company in Radford, Va. An FBI Agent also reviewed Cook’s criminal history and learned that Cook has twice been convicted in federal court in the District of Minnesota for assaulting a federal officer/employee. As such, he is forbidden to possess a firearm or ammunition.

Cook has been held in custody at the Red Lake Detention Facility since his arrest June 12. He will have a federal detention hearing at 2:30 p.m. July 5, at the federal courthouse in St. Paul.

The charges contained in a complaint or indictment are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in court.