Timothy Zegar, Illegal Firearm Possession, Springfield MO, 2023

SPRINGFIELD, MO – Timothy Zegar, 39, of Springfield, Missouri, is cooling his heels in federal custody after being charged with illegally possessing a firearm. The feds allege Zegar, already a convicted felon, was caught red-handed with a Spike’s Tactical .556-caliber rifle, a serious breach of federal law.

According to a criminal complaint filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court, Zegar was in possession of the rifle between January 18th and 21st. This isn’t a simple paperwork error; federal law explicitly forbids anyone with a felony conviction from owning firearms or ammunition. Zegar’s past? A conviction for fleeing and eluding law enforcement, a charge that clearly didn’t deter him from allegedly dealing in weapons.

The bust wasn’t random. The FBI started investigating Zegar back in August 2022, suspecting him of illegally trafficking firearms. An undercover ATF special agent went to work, making contact with Zegar on January 18th. The agent posed as a buyer and, on January 21st, allegedly purchased the Spike’s Tactical rifle directly from Zegar at his residence. This wasn’t a street corner deal, but a transaction inside the suspect’s own home.

The complaint details a clear, albeit disturbing, sequence of events. While authorities haven’t released details about the suspected firearm trafficking operation, the fact that an undercover agent was involved suggests a larger network could be at play. Investigators from the Springfield Police Department and the Greene County Sheriff’s Department assisted the FBI and ATF in the investigation, indicating a coordinated effort to get Zegar off the streets.

Zegar is currently being held pending a detention hearing scheduled for February 6th. Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher is prosecuting the case. It’s crucial to remember that this complaint is merely an accusation. The government bears the burden of proving Zegar’s guilt beyond a reasonable doubt to a federal jury. But with an undercover purchase and a prior felony on his record, the odds are stacked against him.

Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it develops. The Western District of Missouri, like many areas across the country, is grappling with a surge in gun violence, and federal agencies are cracking down on those who illegally possess and traffic firearms. This case serves as a stark reminder that possessing a weapon while a convicted felon carries severe consequences.

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