Davenport Gun Trafficker Wyche Gets 36 Months

DAVENPORT, Iowa – Michael Leon Wyche, Jr., 28, of Davenport, is headed to federal prison after a damning investigation revealed a pattern of illegal firearm purchases and a brazen disregard for the law. Wyche was sentenced Wednesday, November 23, 2021, to 36 months behind bars by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey. The charges: Drug User in Possession of a Firearm and Ammunition, and False Statements During Purchase of Firearms. The sentence also includes two years of supervised release upon completion of his prison term, and a $300 payment to the Crime Victims’ Fund.

The unraveling of Wyche’s operation began with a simple trace. Between April and August of 2020, Wyche had quietly amassed an arsenal, purchasing fourteen firearms. The first red flag surfaced when a firearm box linked directly to Wyche was discovered during a search of a suspected drug dealer’s residence. That led law enforcement to Wyche’s own doorstep, armed with a search warrant.

What they found wasn’t just one gun. During the search of Wyche’s home, officers recovered a firearm, a stash of ammunition, and clear evidence of ongoing drug use. Cornered, Wyche offered a post-Miranda statement admitting to buying over ten firearms, but offered no explanation as to their whereabouts – save for the one recovered from his residence and the one initially traced through the drug dealer. He readily admitted to regular marijuana use, a clear violation of federal firearms regulations.

But the physical evidence wasn’t the only damning aspect of the case. A deep dive into Wyche’s social media accounts painted a disturbing picture: clear indications of firearms trafficking. He wasn’t just collecting guns; he was moving them. The scope of his operation remains under investigation, but the evidence presented was enough to secure a guilty plea on July 21, 2021.

“This case sends a clear message,” stated United States Attorney Richard Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa. “Those who illegally acquire and traffic firearms, especially while engaged in drug use, will be held accountable.” The investigation was spearheaded by the Davenport Police Department, and is part of Project Safe Neighborhood, a collaborative effort between all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to combat violent crime.

Wyche’s sentence isn’t just about locking up a criminal; it’s about disrupting a dangerous cycle. The proliferation of firearms in the hands of individuals with criminal intent, coupled with drug use, fuels violence and instability. The Grimy Times will continue to track this case and report on the fallout as Wyche’s associates – if any – are brought to justice. The question remains: who was Wyche supplying, and how many more guns are still on the streets of Davenport?