DENVER — A Colorado Springs man was sentenced to more than 10 years in federal prison for firearm and drug distribution crimes.
Bjoern Rene Pacot, 30, was sentenced to 130 months in prison, followed by three years on supervised release, in federal court under a plea agreement, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Denver.
On January 24, 2019, Colorado Springs Police received a call about a suspicious truck and trailer parked at Sportsman's Warehouse, blocking traffic.
When officers arrived they said Pacot was in the driver's seat with another person in the passenger's seat, both asleep. They also learned the truck and trailer were stolen.
Officers woke them up and told Pacot to open the door, but they said Pacot refused to get out, resisted officers, and tried to drive away.
Officers saw a holstered 9mm handgun on his hip. They arrested Pacot after a brief struggle.
When officers searched Pacot and the stolen truck they found:
- A 9mm handgun with 15 rounds in the magazine and one round in the chamber, $848 in cash, and a black mask, all on the defendant's person
- Methamphetamine and heroin, with some of the heroin in a lockbox on the driver's side floorboard
- Methamphetamine in a container and in a small plastic bag in the center console
- Plastic baggies on the passenger side floor
- Digital scales
- A 9mm long rifle with laser sight and 15 rounds found in the magazine under the rear seat of the truck, but within reach of the driver seat
Police found about 22 grams of heroin and 26.4 grams of methamphetamine, and discovered the 9mm pistol on Pacot's hip was previously reported stolen in a burglary. The methamphetamine was tested and found to be at least 97% pure.
Cell phone records showed text messages where Pacot talked about possessing guns and selling drugs. He also talked about previously selling narcotics in post-arrest jail visitations.
On August 5, 2019, while Pacot was on bond for this matter, CSPD contacted him about a stolen motorcycle.
The homeowner allowed officers inside to talk to Pacot, but when the officer approached him Pacot put a gun to his own head and said "back up, back up."
Officers left the house after a standoff and obtained arrest and search warrants. When police re-entered the house they arrested Pacot and found 1.8 grams of methamphetamine in his pocket and also recovered the gun he held to his head.
“Drug trafficking is a serious crime. Doing it with weapons is even more so, which is why the sentence here is both significant and appropriate,” said U.S. Attorney Jason R. Dunn. “This is a great result for the people of Colorado Springs.”
“The hard work of the Colorado Springs Police Department resulted in the success of this investigation,” said David Booth, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF Denver Field Division. “Our law enforcement partnerships are one of our greatest resources to combat violent crime.”
