Source: Office of United States Attorneys
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – An Independence, Mo., man has pleaded guilty in federal court before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays to unlawfully possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and an illicit drug user.
Dustin Edward Talbott, also known as “Chunky Dunker,” 40, admitted during his plea that he knew he had previously been convicted of a felony offense and that he was an illicit drug user when he knowingly possessed a Ranger, Model 101-11A, .22 caliber rifle in Independence, Mo.
On April 8, 2024, at approximately 1:36 p.m., an Independence, Mo., Police Department officer observed a Chevy Cobalt with a stolen license plate. The officer saw the driver, who was later identified as Dustin Talbott, park at a local convenience store. After backup officers arrived at the scene, they detained Talbott and two other passengers. During the investigation, officers learned Talbott had a warrant for his arrest, and he did not have a valid driver’s license. Officers accordingly decided to tow the vehicle as it could not legally be driven without valid plates. While conducting an inventory search of the vehicle prior to it being towed, officers found the Ranger, .22 caliber rifle that was on the floorboard between the driver’s seat and driver’s door. Law enforcement officials also found a methamphetamine pipe on the driver’s side floorboard and two syringes in a passenger-door compartment. A box of .22 caliber ammunition was found in the glove box. At the scene, Talbott denied ownership of the firearm, but he admitted to previously putting the firearm in the trunk of the vehicle. Later, a detective interviewed Talbott and Talbott stated that he was with another person who Talbott claimed was shooting the .22 caliber rifle into a homeless camp earlier that morning. Talbott also admitted to using “ice,” which is street term for methamphetamine and also that he was a convicted felon who was not allowed to possess firearms.
Under federal statutes, Talbott is subject to a sentence of up to 15 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. 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 Trey Alford and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James Kirkpatrick. It was investigated by the Independence, Mo. Police Department.
Operation Take Back America
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
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