A St. Louis man, Lee M. Shields, has pleaded guilty to a federal gun charge after an assault incident involving a woman. Shields, aged 46, admitted guilt in U.S. District Court to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm. This plea follows an event on September 17, 2023, when Saint Louis Metropolitan Police Department officers witnessed Shields assaulting a woman. Officers observed Shields striking the woman on the head, resulting in significant bleeding.
Following the incident, Shields attempted to retreat to a Jeep but was stopped by the police. Officers discovered a pistol magazine in his pocket and a Glock 23 handgun inside the vehicle. The assaulted woman was unclear whether Shields used his fist or another object; however, one officer noted Shields had an object in his striking hand. Shields' 6-year-old son, who is also the son of the victim, reported that his father used the gun to hit his mother.
As a convicted felon, Shields is prohibited from possessing firearms. His sentencing is set for September 9, with both the U.S. Attorney’s Office and Shields' defense agreeing to recommend a 50-month prison sentence.
This case was investigated by the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, and the prosecution is led by Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Hoag. Shields' case is connected to Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that aims to reduce violent and gun crime. Initiated by the Department of Justice on May 26, 2021, PSN focuses on building community trust, supporting violence prevention efforts, establishing strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating results.
