Eagan Police Find IGH Felon in Possession of Loaded Handgun

An Inver Grove Heights man with two prior felony burglary convictions faces new charges after an Eagan police officer found him with a loaded .40 caliber handgun in his car.

Ramon Clay Jackson, 43, was charged with one felony count of possession of a firearm by an ineligible person. Under Minnesota law, a felon with previous violent crime convictions cannot legally own or carry a gun. If convicted, Jackson could face a maximum of 15 years in prison and a $30,000 fine.

While on routine patrol just before 3 a.m. on June 20, an Eagan police officer watched a suspicious vehicle enter the parking lot of a closed business off Hwy. 13, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Dakota County Attorney's office.

The officer allegedly observed an object suspended from the rearview mirror inside the car, and pulled the vehicle over once it had exited the parking lot of the business. Immediately following the traffic stop, the officer, using a spotlight, saw a passenger lean over as if putting something on the front floorboard of the car.

The officer spoke with Jackson, who was allegedly driving the car, and learned that neither Jackson nor his passenger held valid driver's licenses. The officer handcuffed and arrested Jackson, then proceeded to search the car, locating a loaded pistol underneath the front passenger seat.

Police say Jackson claimed the pistol was not his, and that a friend named "Darrin" had left it in the car earlier without Jackson's knowledge.

But Jackson's passenger allegedly told the officer a different story. Police say the woman admitted she had been with Jackson since 11 p.m. the previous evening and that the pair had not spent time with any other people during that period. When the officer stopped Jackson's vehicle, the woman allegedly told police that Jackson gave her the gun and asked her to hide it. She then placed it under the front passenger seat.

Under questioning, police say Jackson later admitted he asked his passenger to hide the pistol.

Police determined that handgun had not been stolen.

Jackson was transported to the Dakota County Jail, and the handgun, which had a round in the chamber and a full magazine, was confiscated by police.