KANSAS CITY, Mo. – David M. Ketchmark, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Kansas City, Mo., man who was arrested after a high-speed pursuit during a homicide investigation was convicted in federal court today of illegally possessing an assault rifle.

Larry Davis, 22, of Kansas City, was found guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm. Davis was in possession of a Romarm 7.62 x 39mm rifle on Jan. 26, 2012. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition.

Kansas City police officers responded to reports of a shooting at the intersection of 61st and College at approximately 4 p.m. on Jan. 26, 2012. The victim, located in the driver’s seat of a Hyundai, was pronounced dead with an apparent gunshot wound to his head. There were bullet holes on the passenger and driver’s side hood of the victim’s vehicle, additional holes on the frame between the driver’s door and windshield, the passenger side headlight was broken out, and the driver’s side window was shattered.

A police officer, driving through the intersection of 59th Street and Highway 71, saw a vehicle that matched the description given of a vehicle at the scene of the shooting. He turned his patrol car around to check on it and activated his emergency lights and sirens, but the Toyota Camry – which officers later learned had been reported stolen – refused to stop.

The vehicle, which was driven by Davis, ran numerous stop signs, red lights, and almost struck several vehicles (including a school bus) while driving at a high rate of speed and into oncoming traffic at certain points. Davis eventually stopped at an apartment complex parking lot at the intersection of 80th Street and Campbell and was arrested. Davis was the sole occupant of the vehicle.

At the time of Davis’s arrest, the officer saw the assault-style rifle on the passenger side floorboard of the vehicle.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Davis has prior felony convictions for tampering, resisting arrest by fleeing and creating a substantial risk of injury or death, and possession of a controlled substance.

Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Kansas City, Mo., deliberated for 45 minutes before returning the guilty verdict to U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes, ending a trial that began Monday, Oct. 29, 2012.

Under federal statutes, Davis is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney D. Michael Green. 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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