Duke A. Yates, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Missouri 2024

An Independence, Mo., man has been accused of illegally possessing a firearm after fleeing from police officers in a stolen pick-up truck.

Duke A. Yates, 35, was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm in an indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Kansas City, Mo., on Tuesday, January 23. The federal indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Yates on December 26, 2023.

Yates was reportedly driving a stolen 2007 Ford F350 pick-up truck that had been used in the armed robberies of a Quik Trip and a Walgreen’s, both in Independence, within 10 minutes of each other at about 2:30 a.m. on December 25, 2023.

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, Yates initiated a pursuit that reached speeds over 100 miles per hour. The truck failed to stop for posted stop signs and drove over medians. The truck slid onto 23rd Street facing eastbound in the westbound lanes, causing another motorist to drive onto the shoulder to avoid a collision.

Yates was taken into custody after fleeing on foot and resisting arrest. Officers searched the stolen truck and found a Glock 9mm semi-automatic handgun on the driver’s floorboard.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Yates has two prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance and prior felony convictions for robbery, tampering with a motor vehicle, theft, resisting arrest, property damage, and distributing drugs.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Gibson. It was investigated by the Independence, Mo., Police Department and is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence.

The charge contained in this indictment is simply an accusation, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charge must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdmo/pr/independence-man-indicted-illegal-firearm-following-police-chase