TODD P. GRAVES

SEPTEMBER 3, 2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UPDATE: PROJECT CEASEFIRE

500TH MAN SENTENCED UNDER PROJECT CEASEFIRE

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Todd P. Graves, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City man was sentenced in federal court today for selling a firearm to a felon, bringing the total number of defendants sentenced under Project Ceasefire to 500.

Lloyd E. Fowler, 38, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this morning to three years and one month in federal prison without parole.

On April 21, 2004, Fowler pleaded guilty to being a selling a firearm to a person he had reasonable cause to believe had been convicted of a felony. By pleading guilty, Fowler admitted that he sold a Stevens 20-gauge shotgun on Sept. 4, 2002. Under federal statutes, Graves explained, it is illegal for any person to dispose of a firearm to a person they have reasonable cause to believe is a felon.

Today’s sentencing is part of Project Ceasefire, the district’s ongoing anti-crime initiative. Project Ceasefire, launched in October 1999, targets for federal prosecution persons who unlawfully use or possess firearms. The local initiative is part of the national Project Safe Neighborhoods campaign.

The 500 defendants that have been prosecuted under Project Ceasefire have been sentenced to a collective total of more than 2,360 years in federal prison without parole. The longest sentence handed down by the court was 27 years and three months in federal prison without parole.

In addition to the sentencings, Graves said, Project Ceasefire has resulted in federal charges against 649 defendants, and convictions against 567 of those defendants, including 537 who pleaded guilty and 30 who were convicted at trial. A total of 500 of the 567 convicted defendants have been sentenced, and 67 currently await sentencing hearings.

“Since its inception, Project Ceasefire has proven to be an effective tool to increase the safety of this community by reducing firearm crimes,” Graves said. “The prosecution of these criminals is only part of the overall effort. The Kansas City Crime Commission and its many volunteers in the community, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, area law enforcement agencies and county prosecutors also play important parts in this local initiative. Project Ceasefire would not be a success if it weren’t for the cooperative effort of all the partners.”

The United States Department of Justice recently recognized the program’s success by awarding Project Ceasefire its 2003 Outstanding Partnership or Task Force Award.

“Project Ceasefire has been named one of the nation’s leaders in prosecuting felons who illegally possess firearms,” Graves said. “Those involved in the program should be proud of their contributions.”

Today’s case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Paul S. Becker. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

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This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the United States Attorney
for the Western District of Missouri, is available on-line at
www.usdoj.gov/usao/mow