William F Bivens III, Unlawful Firearms Possession, Kansas 2024

TOPEKA, KAN. – Another dangerous criminal off the streets of Topeka. William F. Bivens III, 42, was sentenced today to 64 months in federal prison for illegally possessing firearms, a clear sign he learned nothing from prior brushes with the law. U.S. Attorney Steven McAllister announced the sentence, a small victory in a city struggling with rising gun violence.

Bivens pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawful possession of firearms by a convicted felon. According to court documents, officers discovered Bivens with two loaded weapons: a .40 caliber Glock and a .45 caliber Arms Corp. pistol. Federal law is clear: once you’ve been convicted of a felony, you lose the right to own a gun. Bivens apparently didn’t get the message.

This wasn’t a first offense. Prosecutors laid out Bivens’ extensive criminal history in a sentencing memo, detailing over two decades of lawbreaking. The memo didn’t mince words, stating bluntly, “The defendant has absolutely no desire to live a law-abiding life.” A history including convictions for voluntary manslaughter and aggravated battery paints a clear picture of a man with a penchant for violence.

The case was built by agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the U.S. Marshals Service. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jared Maag skillfully prosecuted the case, ensuring Bivens faced the consequences of his actions. The feds are making an example of repeat offenders, and Bivens is now part of that equation.

This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal program designed to reduce gun violence through focused enforcement and partnerships between federal, state, and local agencies. While 64 months isn’t a life sentence, it’s a significant period of incarceration that hopefully keeps Bivens from inflicting further harm on the community.

The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the efforts to combat gun violence in Topeka and across the nation. While this sentence provides temporary relief, the underlying issues of crime and recidivism remain a persistent challenge. The question remains: will Bivens emerge from prison a changed man, or will he return to a life of crime?

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