A Utah man, Michael Lee Rasmussen, has been sentenced to 31 months in prison for possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon. Rasmussen, 49, from West Jordan, pleaded guilty on December 5, 2025, to the federal charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
U.S. District Court Judge Robert J. Shelby also ordered three years of supervised release for Rasmussen and imposed a three-year ban from federal public lands in the District of Utah as part of his supervision.
According to court documents and statements made during court proceedings, Rasmussen, who has five felony convictions, began squatting on federal public lands near Manning Canyon, Utah in late 2024. Along with others, he constructed a makeshift compound that included vehicles, trailers, tents, appliances, and large amounts of litter. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rangers observed improper disposal of raw waste at the site. Despite repeated warnings to vacate the area, Rasmussen remained on the land. Local residents later reported hearing gunshots and threats coming from the camp as well as stolen property incidents and unusual nighttime activity.
On September 22, 2025, BLM law enforcement rangers coordinated with state and federal agencies to arrest Rasmussen on outstanding state warrants and dismantle the encampment. Officers found small quantities of narcotics and drug paraphernalia along with firearms and ammunition throughout the site. After his arrest, Rasmussen admitted he had purchased and fired weapons despite knowing he was prohibited from doing so due to his criminal record. Authorities subsequently cleaned up the area by removing trash and abandoned vehicles.
“Ensuring the safety of those who visit Utah’s federal lands is a priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners,” said U.S. Attorney Melissa Holyoak of the District of Utah. “We appreciate the brave work of BLM rangers, the U.S. Forest Service, and our critical state partners, who put a stop to Mr. Rasmussen’s dangerous activities and restored the public’s access to the area.”
“BLM law enforcement worked with federal, state, and county partners to safely dismantle the encampment and remove hazards,” said Camm Stephenson, BLM Utah West Desert District Chief Ranger. “Unauthorized occupation and firearms violations on public lands pose serious risks, and the Bureau is committed to protecting people and resources.”
“Our natural resource officers are committed to protecting Utah’s lands and ensuring the safety of all who recreate on them,” said Todd Royce, Director of the DNR Division of Law Enforcement. “Illegal activities like those seen in this case not only threaten public safety but also cause significant damage to our shared natural resources. We value the strong partnerships with the Bureau of Land Management and our local sheriff’s offices that allow us to effectively address these complex issues and protect our public lands.”
The investigation was conducted by BLM officials working alongside agents from Utah’s Division of Natural Resources as well as deputies from Tooele County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorneys Luisa Gough and Tanner Zumwalt prosecuted this case for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.
