KC Reporter

A Kansas City, Kan., man, Joshua L. Alley, has been sentenced to twenty-one years in federal prison without parole for possessing methamphetamine to distribute and illegally possessing a firearm. U.S. District Judge Greg Kays handed down the sentence after Alley pleaded guilty to the charges last year.

According to court documents, Independence, Mo., police officers spotted Alley in a stolen vehicle at a local convenience store. Despite attempts to stop him, Alley led officers on a high-speed chase, eventually crashing the vehicle into a creek. Alley then attempted to flee on foot but was apprehended. Upon searching the discarded bag that Alley had dropped during the pursuit, officers found 84.8 grams of methamphetamine.

Furthermore, a loaded Ruger 9mm semi-automatic pistol and ammunition were discovered in the vehicle. Alley, who admitted to using methamphetamine regularly, has a history of felony convictions for various offenses, making it illegal for him to possess a firearm.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Independence, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Alley's case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in communities. The initiative focuses on fostering trust, supporting community-based organizations, setting enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes to create safer neighborhoods for all.