Leon D. Stinnett Sentenced for Illegal Firearms Possession

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In a grim demonstration of the justice system’s reach, 28-year-old Leon D. Stinnett faced federal punishment today for his brazen illegal firearms possession and attempted police evasion.

United States Attorney Tammy Dickinson announced that Stinnett was sentenced to nine years and six months in federal prison without parole by U.S. Chief District Judge Greg Kays. The sentence comes after a guilty plea on charges of being a felon in possession of two firearms, a Jimenez 9mm pistol and a Glock .40-caliber pistol.

The incident began when Stinnett, driving a 2003 Honda Accord, attempted to flee from law enforcement to avoid arrest. His chase ended at a location already under police surveillance. Upon his capture, officers found the loaded Jimenez 9mm pistol within easy reach in the driver’s seat and the Glock .40-caliber pistol hidden away in the trunk.

Under federal law, it is illegal for felons to possess firearms or ammunition, and Stinnett’s two prior felony convictions for burglary and one for robbery make his case all the more severe. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rudolph R. Rhodes, IV, prosecuted the case, while the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives led the investigation.

Stinnett’s sentence serves as a stark reminder of the consequences faced by those who flout federal firearms laws and attempt to evade law enforcement. The community’s safety is the top priority for these agencies, and their relentless pursuit of justice continues to protect innocent lives.