Police say Stish openly carried an AR-style rifle in downtown Fargo during the July event.<\/p>\n
Federal records allege Stish was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition because of an earlier court order.<\/p>\n
Rifle Reported Before Street Fair Encounter<\/h2>\n
According to a federal affidavit, the investigation began July 16.<\/p>\n
A caller reported seeing an uncased AR-style rifle inside a gray Subaru Legacy.<\/p>\n
The vehicle was reportedly traveling toward Bill\u2019s Gun Shop in Fargo.<\/p>\n
Police contacted employees at the store. Employees reported no problems involving Stish, according to the affidavit.<\/p>\n
Later that day, officers saw Stish at the Fargo Street Fair on Broadway North.<\/p>\n
Police said an uncased AR-style rifle was slung across his chest.<\/p>\n
Stish told an officer he was active-duty Army and was from California, the affidavit states.<\/p>\n
The rifle’s bolt was locked back, and no magazine was inserted, according to investigators.<\/p>\n
An officer asked Stish to put the rifle away. He complied with that request.<\/p>\n
Police also reported seeing a magazine in his pocket.<\/p>\n
![\"Owen](\"https:\/\/trfnews.i234.me\/wordpress\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/Owen-James-Stish.png\")
Owen James Stish<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\nLoaded Magazines Reported The Next Day<\/h2>\n
An officer encountered Stish again near the Street Fair on July 17.<\/p>\n
Stish did not have the rifle with him during that encounter.<\/p>\n
However, police said he showed officers two loaded 30-round magazines.<\/p>\n
The magazines contained 5.56-caliber ammunition, according to the federal affidavit.<\/p>\n
Stish reportedly said his rifle was stored inside a U-Haul storage unit in Dilworth.<\/p>\n
Federal Charge Filed<\/h2>\n
Investigators reviewed court records from Ward County, North Dakota.<\/p>\n
The affidavit says a district court issued an order involving Stish in 2018.<\/p>\n
That order prohibited him from possessing or receiving firearms and ammunition under federal law.<\/p>\n
A separate 2023 order ended the guardianship arrangement, according to investigators.<\/p>\n
However, the affidavit says that order did not restore Stish’s firearm rights.<\/p>\n
Stish was charged July 17 with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a prohibited person.<\/p>\n
The case was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of North Dakota<\/a>.<\/p>\n The investigation involved the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives<\/a>.<\/p>\n Federal firearm restrictions are outlined in 18 U.S.C. \u00a7 922<\/a>.<\/p>\n The affidavit listed an August 3 court date before Magistrate Judge Alice R. Senechal.<\/p>\n A criminal charge is an allegation. Stish is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.<\/p>\n