Twin Falls Man Sentenced for Unlawful Possession of Firearms

BOISE, Idaho (KLIX)- A Magic Valley man will spend more than three years behind bars for being a felon in possession of guns.

The U.S. Attorney's office in Idaho says Michael Southerland, 26, of Twin Falls County, was given a 42 month sentence by U.S. District Judge B. Lynn Winmill. In addition Southerland will have to spend three years on supervised release and pay a $1,000 fine. The plea agreement says Southerland admitted in October 2015 to knowingly having two firearms. Southerland had been convicted of a felony possession of destructive device in California.

According to the U.S. Attorney Southerland was arrested after law enforcement answered a 911 call at a place he shared with his girlfriend that once belonged to her estranged husband Glen Cawley. Cawley had been found dead at the residence after being shot in the back of the head with a shotgun.

Southerland and the girlfriend moved in after the murder which is still under investigation. This case was handled by the FBI, ATF, and Twin Falls County Sheriff's Office.