Kansas City Man Faces Up to 20 Years in Prison for Illegally Possessing Firearm
Kansas City, MO – A federal jury has convicted a Kansas City man of being a felon in possession of a firearm, a crime that could land him in prison for up to 20 years. Rico V. Gilliam, 34, was found guilty of two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, a charge that is punishable by up to 10 years in prison for each count.
The evidence presented in court showed that Gilliam was in possession of a Glock .40-caliber semi-automatic handgun on October 17, 2014, and again on November 6, 2014. He also possessed ammunition on October 17, 2014. Gilliam’s possession of the firearm was a direct result of his two prior felony convictions for armed criminal action and prior felony convictions for unlawful use of a weapon, burglary, attempted robbery, and robbery.
The case began on October 17, 2014, when Kansas City police officers responded to a residence to investigate a shooting. The victim told officers that Gilliam had fired two shots at him during an argument that occurred about 3 a.m. the same day, and one shot had struck him in the leg. He also said Gilliam pointed the gun at him and threatened to shoot him in the face.
The victim and his girlfriend then walked to a nearby car lot, jumped a fence, and hid inside a Jeep until they called the police later that morning. Investigators interviewed several witnesses who confirmed the victim’s account.
On November 6, 2014, officers located Gilliam inside a Kansas City apartment. The apartment’s resident and several guests left the building while officers attempted to contact Gilliam. Another apartment was also evacuated. A tactical squad negotiated with Gilliam through a loudspeaker to come out of the residence. After approximately 30 minutes, Gilliam left the residence and was arrested. Officers searched the apartment and found the Glock handgun in the attic.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Gilliam’s guilty verdict is a significant blow to the community, as it highlights the importance of following the law and respecting the rights of others.
Gilliam is scheduled to be sentenced after a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stefan C. Hughes and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Kim Moore. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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