A convicted felon from East St. Louis admitted on Aug. 4 to shooting a homeless man in downtown St. Louis in 2024.
Travion X. Cutler, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. According to court documents, on Oct. 21, 2024, Cutler was walking around a tent when the victim returned from showering at a friend’s house while another person was inside the tent. Cutler fired one shot, striking the victim in the abdomen. Police quickly located Cutler nearby; he ran and dropped a .40 caliber handgun after falling into some bushes before being arrested.
Cutler is prohibited from possessing firearms due to his felony status and now faces up to 15 years in prison when sentenced on November 4.
The case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Phillip Voss.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), described as “the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe.” The PSN program emphasizes rapid federal response to violent crime offenders; strong partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability through prosecution of serious offenses.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Missouri advances community well-being by working with entities to prevent crime and improve quality of life; it also investigates and prosecutes federal crimes across its jurisdiction under the United States Department of Justice using courthouses in St. Louis and Cape Girardeau while serving 49 counties throughout eastern Missouri, according to the official website.