Sedalia Man Pleads Guilty to Meth, Illegal Firearm

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Justin Ray Shelledy, a 38-year-old Sedalia resident, entered a guilty plea today in federal court for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and illegal firearm possession.

According to United States Attorney Tammy Dickinson for the Western District of Missouri, Shelledy was arrested on March 4, 2016, after police discovered a stash of drugs and a loaded Ruger 9mm handgun. The bust followed an outstanding warrant arrest at his residence.

During the search, Sedalia officers found methamphetamine, marijuana, prescription pills, two cell phones, and ammunition in Shelledy’s possession. Inside his home, they uncovered additional meth and a loaded magazine for the Ruger 9mm.

Shelledy has prior felony convictions for unlawful use of a weapon and domestic assault, making him prohibited under federal law from owning firearms or ammunition. He now faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole, with a potential maximum sentence of 50 years.

The case against Shelledy was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence E. Miller, who was assisted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Sedalia Police Department, and Pettis County Sheriff’s Department.

A sentencing hearing is scheduled to take place following a presentence investigation conducted by the United States Probation Office.