Myron Kilgore, Felon Ammunition Possession, California 2024

Myron Kilgore, 42, of Modesto, is facing federal charges after being caught with ammunition while legally barred from possessing it due to prior felony convictions. A federal grand jury returned a one-count indictment charging Kilgore with being a felon in possession of ammunition, according to Acting U.S. Attorney Phillip A. Talbert.

The arrest traces back to February 2, 2021, when law enforcement stopped Kilgore’s vehicle in Modesto. During a search, officers discovered a loaded, unserialized firearm—commonly referred to as a ghost gun—under the driver’s side floorboard. The weapon was chambered with six live rounds, all of which constitute ammunition under federal law. Kilgore, a convicted felon, is strictly prohibited from possessing either firearms or ammunition.

Authorities say the investigation was a collaborative effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Modesto Police Department, and the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office. The case underscores intensified federal scrutiny on untraceable firearms and illegal possession by prohibited individuals, particularly in high-violence areas.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Katherine E. Schuh is leading the prosecution. If convicted, Kilgore faces a maximum statutory penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine. However, sentencing would ultimately be determined by the court, weighing statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which consider criminal history, offense severity, and other judicial benchmarks.

The charges are part of the broader Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, a DOJ-backed strategy targeting violent crime through coordinated federal, state, and local enforcement. PSN prioritizes dismantling networks that enable repeat offenders and illegal gun circulation, aiming for long-term community safety through targeted prosecution and prevention.

A not-guilty plea has not yet been entered. As standard in federal cases, Kilgore is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The court has not set a trial date.