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Springfield Dealer Gets 15 Years for Illegal Firearm
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Joseph E. Finch, 38, is headed to federal prison for nearly 16 years after a judge slammed him with a hefty sentence for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The sentence, handed down today, reflects Finch’s long history with the law and his continued involvement in illegal activities.
Finch was sentenced by U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 15 years and eight months in federal prison without the possibility of parole. Acting United States Attorney Tom Larson for the Western District of Missouri announced the sentencing, emphasizing that Finch was classified as an armed career criminal due to a rap sheet stretching back years.
The bust originated on October 27, 2015, when Springfield Police, backed by federal agents, executed a search warrant at Finch’s residence. What they found wasn’t just a residence, but a one-stop shop for illicit goods. Officers recovered 9.83 grams of methamphetamine, .21 grams of heroin, and 3.5 grams of marijuana, along with $900 in cash. But the real kicker was tucked away in a cooking stove on the back porch: a Hi-Point .45-caliber semi-automatic pistol loaded with 32 rounds of ammunition. Additional ammunition was located in a storage shed on the property.
Finch didn’t bother denying his lifestyle. He readily admitted to law enforcement that he was a drug dealer, effectively sealing his fate. Federal law is clear: a convicted felon is not permitted to possess firearms or ammunition, and Finch’s prior convictions made him a repeat offender. Those convictions include two counts of distributing cocaine, plus prior felonies for drug trafficking and distributing crack cocaine.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Nhan D. Nguyen prosecuted the case, building a solid argument for the maximum sentence given Finch’s criminal history. The investigation was a joint effort between the Springfield, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, highlighting the collaborative approach to tackling gun violence and drug trafficking in the region.
This sentencing serves as a stark reminder that possessing an illegal firearm, especially with a history of violent drug offenses, carries serious consequences. Finch will now have over a decade to reflect on his choices behind bars, while law enforcement continues to target those who put public safety at risk.
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Key Facts
- State: Missouri
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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