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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
Sept. 12 , 2008
GUN SENDS TOPEKA MAN BACK TO JAIL
TOPEKA, KAN. – Joseph P. Hunter, 31, Topeka, was sentenced to 6 years in federal prison for unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction, U.S. Attorney Eric Melgren announced Friday.
In June, Hunter pleaded guilty to the charge. In his plea, he admitted he was arrested Oct. 15, 2006, after police were called to the 1100 block of N.E. Wilson Street. Officers recovered a .45 caliber Colt pistol and ammunition.
Under federal law, Hunter was prohibited from possessing a gun because of his prior felony convictions for aggravated assault and felony involuntary manslaughter. In the 1994 manslaughter case, he was sentenced 34 months in state prison after being convicted of causing the death of Donnel Fry. Witnesses testified Hunter was playing a prank on Fry when he put a .38-caliber revolver to her head and it discharged.
Melgren commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Topeka Police Department and U.S. Attorney Randy Hendershot for their work on the case.
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