Grandview Gunman Gets 15 Years: Armed Career Criminal Back Behind Bars

KANSAS CITY, MO – Anthony B. Hutton, 29, of Grandview, Missouri, is facing a long stretch behind bars after being sentenced to 15 years in federal prison today for illegally possessing a firearm. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Stephen R. Bough, reflects Hutton’s history as an ‘armed career criminal,’ a designation earned through a string of prior felony convictions.

The case began on January 31, 2016, when Kansas City police officers responded to a reported theft involving a beige Toyota Corolla. They found the vehicle occupied by Hutton and another individual. As officers approached, Hutton exited the driver’s side, immediately drawing attention to a black Glock .40-caliber pistol tucked halfway into his waistband. The quick discovery led to his immediate arrest. It wasn’t just the gun; a check of the firearm’s serial number revealed it was stolen.

But the story didn’t end there. A search of the Corolla turned up a veritable drug stash: nine individually wrapped plastic baggies containing 44 grams of marijuana, six baggies of cocaine totaling five grams, four green pills of unknown composition, three yellow pills also unidentified, and an additional .5 grams of cocaine found on the ground near Hutton. He was initially arrested for possession of stolen property, but the federal charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm would ultimately carry the most weight.

Federal law is clear: anyone with a prior felony conviction is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition. And Hutton wasn’t just any felon. His rap sheet includes three previous convictions for distribution of a controlled substance and a separate conviction for unlawful use of a weapon – specifically, attempting to shoot someone. To add insult to injury, he was on probation at the time of this latest offense.

Hutton pleaded guilty to the charge on February 16, 2017. Acting United States Attorney Tom Larson for the Western District of Missouri made the announcement of the sentencing today, emphasizing the seriousness of the crime and the defendant’s dangerous history. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Q. McCarther, with crucial investigative work provided by the Kansas City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).

This case serves as a stark reminder that those with a history of violent crime and drug dealing will face significant consequences for possessing illegal firearms. The 15-year sentence, with no possibility of parole, aims to keep Hutton off the streets and prevent further danger to the community. The Grimy Times will continue to follow federal cases impacting the heartland.