Fri, Sep 15th, 2023 - 4:14pm
April 19, 2024 - 4:00pm | By Tom Tucker
(Fargo, ND) – United States Attorney Mac Schneider announced Friday that 24-year-old Fargo resident Patrick Opdahl has been found guilty of Possession of a Machinegun and Possession of an Unregistered Silencer.
Sentencing has not yet been scheduled.
On February 1, 2023, law enforcement was called to a home Opdahl shared with his parents.
Law enforcement learned that during an argument with his parents, Opdahl pulled out a firearm and shot it into the ceiling.
While his parents were able to escape unharmed, Opdahl refused to surrender leading to a several hour standoff with officers from the Fargo Police Department and Red River Valley Regional SWAT team.
Eventually, negotiators were able to talk Opdahl into peacefully surrendering to law enforcement.
Upon further investigation, law enforcement learned that Opdahl possessed several ghost guns, including a machinegun and firearm silencer.
“Illegal machinegun conversion devices are a threat to the public and to the safety of law enforcement officers in North Dakota,” Schneider said. “This is especially true when ‘ghost’ guns are involved. The United States Attorney’s Office will continue to prioritize the federal prosecution of those who possess illegal firearms and individuals who possess firearms illegally.”
