PLANO, TX – Quincy Reshawn Gilstrap, 27, of McKinney, Texas, will spend the next 22 years behind bars after being sentenced to 262 months in federal prison for a firearms violation. U.S. Attorney John M. Bales announced the sentence today, a stark warning to repeat offenders in North Texas.
Gilstrap pleaded guilty on August 21, 2012, to the charge of being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The case stemmed from a December 2011 arrest by Plano Police. Officers collared Gilstrap during a drug investigation, also finding him attempting to evade arrest – and, crucially, in possession of a loaded firearm. It wasn’t his first run-in with the law, and that’s what landed him a lengthy federal sentence.
Court records reveal a troubling pattern of criminal behavior. Gilstrap wasn’t just some first-time offender. He’d previously been convicted in Collin County, Texas, for evading arrest in 2004. That was followed by convictions in 2008 for both manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance and robbery. Federal law is clear: a convicted felon is strictly prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.
A federal grand jury didn’t take long to act. In March 2012, they returned an indictment charging Gilstrap with the firearms violation. The investigation, a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Plano Police Department, built a solid case against him, leaving him little room to maneuver.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Tracey M. Batson skillfully prosecuted the case, presenting the evidence that ultimately led to Gilstrap’s conviction and the hefty sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Richard A. Schell on October 24, 2013. The sentence sends a clear message: those who repeatedly break the law, and then arm themselves illegally, will face severe consequences.
This case highlights the ongoing collaboration between federal and local law enforcement agencies in cracking down on gun crime and holding repeat offenders accountable. While Gilstrap may have thought he could skirt the law, the combined efforts of the ATF and Plano PD ensured he’ll be spending a significant portion of his life paying for his crimes. This isn’t just about a gun; it’s about a pattern of disregard for the law and the safety of the community.
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Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Drug Trafficking
- Source: Official Source ↗
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