Gary Wayne Blanton, Ammunition Possession, Texas 2024

Gary Wayne Blanton, a 49-year-old man from Irving, Texas, is headed to federal prison for 57 months after admitting he possessed ammunition despite a long criminal record stacked with felonies. The sentence, handed down by U.S. Circuit Judge Catharina Haynes, marks the latest fall for a man who once again found himself on the wrong side of a high-speed police chase and a trunk full of contraband.

Blanton pleaded guilty on April 26, 2016, to the charge of being a felon in possession of ammunition — a federal crime that carries stiff penalties when the defendant has a violent or repeat criminal past. The conviction stemmed from a predawn traffic stop in Gun Barrel City on November 12, 2015, when an officer spotted Blanton driving a vehicle with no functioning tail lights just after 3 a.m.

What started as a routine equipment violation quickly spiraled. Once stopped, police discovered Blanton had an active arrest warrant. When ordered to exit the vehicle, he slammed the gas and fled, leading officers on a reckless pursuit that topped 100 miles per hour. After a brief chase, Blanton surrendered, but not before leaving behind a trail of evidence that would seal his fate.

A search of his car uncovered a stolen 9mm semiautomatic pistol, a loaded Glock magazine, a live round, and a digital scale in the trunk — all pointing to drug distribution and illegal firearm possession. Loose methamphetamine was found on the front passenger seat, and another small baggie was recovered near the roadside where the stop began. During booking, two additional 9mm cartridges were found in Blanton’s front pants pocket.

At the time of arrest, Blanton already had multiple felony convictions: Theft of a Firearm, Burglary of a Vehicle – Habitual, Unauthorized Use of a Motor Vehicle, and two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance – Amphetamine. Federal law bars anyone with a felony conviction from possessing ammunition — a rule Blanton violated with clear intent and access to weapons.

The case was investigated by the Gun Barrel City Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Tyler Office, and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jim Noble. Acting U.S. Attorney Brit Featherston confirmed the sentencing outcome, underscoring the federal crackdown on armed felons and repeat offenders operating across East Texas.