NEWS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY

WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI

BETH PHILLIPS

Contact Don Ledford, Public Affairs ● (816) 426-4220 ● 400 East Ninth Street, Room 5510 ● Kansas City, MO 64106

www.usdoj.gov../index.html

JANUARY 4, 2010

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PROJECT CEASEFIRE

KC MAN SENTENCED FOR ILLEGAL FIREARM

AFTER POINTING GUN AT OFFICER

            KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm.

            Elvie L. Black, 36, of Kansas City, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Judge Fernando J. Gaitan this afternoon to nine years and two months in federal prison.

            On July 2, 2009, Black pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm. Black was in possession of a loaded Titan Arms .38-caliber revolver that he pointed at a Kansas City police officer during a foot chase.

            On Feb. 6, 2009, officers were called to the 4700 block of Independence Avenue at approximately 3:35 a.m. When they arrived, they saw a silver Chrysler Concorde stopped in the middle of the street. When the officers shined their spotlight on the vehicle, Black exited from the driver’s seat and fled on foot. As an officer pursued him, Black turned toward the officer with the handgun in his right hand. The officer drew his weapon; Black lost his balance and fell, dropping the handgun. Black was arrested and the firearm was recovered.

            Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Black has prior felony convictions for fleeing from a law enforcement officer, possession of a controlled substance, possession with intent to sell a controlled substance and attempted assault.

            This 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.

Project Ceasefire

            Project Ceasefire, launched in October 1999, is a cooperative initiative by federal and local law enforcement and the Kansas City Crime Commission that targets for federal prosecution persons who unlawfully use or possess firearms.

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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

http://www.justice.gov../index.html