SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Anderson, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm that he used to shoot and kill another person.

Micheal J. Smith, 40, of Anderson, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to 15 years in federal prison without parole. Smith was sentenced as an armed career criminal due to his prior felony convictions.

On April 8, 2010, Smith pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Smith admitted that he was in possession of an Eastern Arms .410-gauge shotgun on Oct. 18, 2009.

Smith used the shotgun to kill Matthew D. Robertson, who had forced open the front door of Smith’s apartment. Smith and Robertson were familiar with one another and had an ongoing dispute. Smith shot Robertson once in the chest, then disassembled the firearm and hid it in a closet.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Smith has four prior felony convictions for burglary, two prior felony convictions for stealing and a prior felony conviction for property damage.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James J. Kelleher. It was investigated by the McDonald County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

 

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