Charleston Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Charges
The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that a Charleston, Missouri man pled guilty to gun charges.
DANNY LEE BYRD, age 25, pled guilty to one felony count of being a Previously Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm. He appeared before United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey.
On January 20, 2011, at approximately 3:00 a.m., a truck was reported stolen from the parking lot at the Pilot Travel Center in Charleston, Missouri. Officers later discovered the truck had been returned to the same parking lot. The vehicle was occupied by Danny Lee Byrd, who appeared to be sleeping. The officers observed that the truck had been damaged, and there were six firearms located in the cab of the truck, which did not belong to the truck owner.
Officers then found numerous items of mail in the bed of the truck, that were addressed to an area homeowner. Subsequent investigation revealed that the residence had been burglarized that evening, and the firearms had been taken from the home.
Due to Byrd’s previous felony convictions, which include Second Degree Assault in 2004; Stealing a Motor Vehicle in 2005; two Burglaries in 2005; and Resisting Arrest by Flight Creating a Risk of Injury or Death in 2008, he is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Byrd now faces a maximum punishment of life imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing has been set for April 17, 2012.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Charleston Department of Public Safety. Assistant United States Attorney Keith D. Sorrell is handling the prosecution for the Government.
###