A Springfield man, Darius R. Thomas, 28, has been sentenced to three years in federal prison for illegal firearm possession and making a false statement during a firearm purchase. U.S. Chief District Judge Beth Phillips handed down the sentence, which includes three years of supervised release after imprisonment.
Thomas admitted guilt on January 3, 2025, to being an unlawful user of a controlled substance while possessing a firearm and lying during a firearm purchase. He is associated with the local gang “FTO,” linked to several violent crimes and firearms offenses in the area.
The case stems from incidents starting June 1, 2023, when Springfield Police responded to reports of men brandishing guns at a Kum & Go gas station. Surveillance footage identified Thomas as one of the individuals involved.
Later that month, officers were called to an apartment complex where Thomas was found smoking marijuana and possessing ammunition. He admitted he couldn’t buy firearms due to his drug use but attempted to purchase one two days later by falsely stating otherwise on an ATF form.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan prosecuted the case with investigations conducted by multiple law enforcement agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime through community collaboration and strategic enforcement priorities.
