Former KC Man, Linked to Homicide and Pawn Shop Burglary, Pleads Guilty to Drug Trafficking, 52 Illegal Firearms

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A former Kansas City-area man, who claimed self-defense after fatally shooting another man during a drug deal, pleaded guilty in federal court today to drug trafficking and to illegally possessing 52 firearms he stole from a local pawn shop.

Kameron M. Bynum, 24, of Wilson, North Carolina, pleaded guilty before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lajuana M. Counts to conspiracy to distribute Xanax and marijuana, possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug-trafficking crime, stealing firearms from a licensed firearm dealer, and being a felon in possession of firearms.

Smart Pawn, 6301 Troost Ave., Kansas City, reported a burglary on May 13, 2017. Bynum broke in through the roof of the business and stole 52 handguns valued at $19,725. Investigators used video surveillance and found clothing in an alley that was used during the burglary. A bloodstain was found on a glove used in the burglary and DNA analysis linked the bloodstain to Bynum.

Investigators also determined the vehicle used during the burglary was the same vehicle Bynum was in when he was arrested on Aug. 2, 2016. During that arrest, Bynum was in possession of 151 Xanax pills. The vehicle was also linked to the crime scene of a homicide that occurred on Aug. 6, 2016, in the 2900 block of East 35th Street. A phone that belonged to Bynum was found at the scene.

After his arrest, Bynum admitted to being involved in the homicide. Bynum told investigators he was attempting to buy Xanax pills from the victim, who drew a large firearm and attempted to rob him. Bynum was armed with a firearm and stated that he shot the victim one time in self-defense. A witness who was with Bynum on that date, interviewed separately, gave a statement consistent with Bynum’s account.

On May 26, 2017, officers with the Wilson, North Carolina, Police Department arrested Bynum for an outstanding state warrant. At the time of his arrest, Bynum was in possession of approximately 13 grams of marijuana, an electronic digital scale, clear plastic baggies, $921, and a cell phone. Investigators obtained a search warrant for the cell phone and recovered several messages and photos related to this investigation.

Bynum was charged in federal court on June 30, 2017, and a federal warrant was issued for his arrest. Officers searched his North Carolina apartment and found 407 Xanax tablets, a loaded Glock 9mm handgun with an extended magazine that had been stolen from Smart Pawn, glass jars and individually wrapped bags of marijuana, and $550.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Bynum has a prior felony conviction for robbery.

Under the terms of today’s plea agreement, the joint recommendation to the court is for Bynum to be sentenced to 16 years and three months in federal prison without parole. 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 Adam Caine. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department, and the Wilson, N.C., Police Department.

Project Safe Neighborhoods
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods is an evidence-based program that identifies the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develops comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.