A Columbia, Missouri, man is facing up to 10 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm following a street shootout in a residential neighborhood.
Richard Sterling Jones, 25, pleaded guilty in federal court on an unspecified date to being a drug user in possession of a firearm, according to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
The incident occurred on June 24, 2018, when Columbia police officers responded to shots fired in the 4600 block of Rice Road. Witnesses reported seeing a silver Pontiac Grand Prix quickly leave the area, and officers later located Jones sitting in a silver Grand Prix.
During a search of the vehicle, officers found a bag of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Jones admitted to firing several rounds from his AR-15 style rifle into the air in front of a residence on Rice Road and hiding the firearm under a mattress in another residence.
Jones also admitted to using and selling marijuana. A search warrant was executed at the residence, where officers found a loaded SOTA Arms multi-caliber rifle where Jones had hidden it.
Under federal statutes, Jones is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron M. Jolly. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Columbia, Mo., Police Department.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri through Project Safe Neighborhoods.
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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