JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - A Columbia, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing firearms and ammunition that had been stolen in a recent burglary.
Deangelo Wayne Joe, Jr., 24, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.
Columbia police officers responded to a report of shots fired in the parking lot of The Links apartment complex in the 1500 block of Clark Lane at approximately 11:42 p.m. on July 11, 2018. When they arrived, the officers located Joe and told him to put his hands up. Joe looked at the officers and took off running into an apartment in the complex.
Police officers surrounded the building. For approximately 30 minutes, officers gave commands over the PA for the residents to exit the apartment into which Joe had run. When Joe exited the apartment he was arrested on outstanding warrants. Officers who searched him found.22-caliber ammunition, including a fired shell casing, in his pants pocket.
Officers searched the apartment and found a Browning.22-caliber handgun and an FMK.22-caliber rifle. In a bedroom closet they also found a range bag, which contained multiple rounds of.22-caliber ammunition. Both firearms and the range bag full of ammunition were reported stolen in a burglary that occurred a few days earlier.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Joe has two prior felony convictions for burglary.
Under federal statutes, Joe is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. 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. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Aaron Maness. It was investigated by the Columbia, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
