A Spirit Lake man has pled guilty to possession of a firearm as a prohibited person. 36-year-old Andrew Mitchell appeared in federal court in Sioux city Wednesday.

The case was investigated by Spencer police, the Clay County Sheriff’s Department, and the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.

Spencer police say they stopped Mitchell riding a bicycle on the wrong side of the road in August. He was arrested for providing false identification, and then interference with official acts for resisting handcuffs. A search then revealed Mitchell had a loaded handgun with the serial number removed strapped to his chest. He also was found to be in possession of methamphetamine, a scale with meth residue, a marijuana vape pen, and other drug paraphernalia.

Mitchell is in the custody of the U.S. Marshall’s office pending sentencing. He faces up to 15 years in prison and a 250 thousand dollar fine.