KC Reporter

A man arrested in St. Joseph, Mo., with a significant amount of methamphetamine in his possession has pleaded guilty in federal court to drug trafficking and illegally possessing firearms. Mark Edmundson, 49, pleaded guilty to multiple charges including possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and possessing firearms in connection with a drug-trafficking crime.

According to reports, St. Joseph police officers found Edmundson at a gas station following information from the Brown County, Kansas, Sheriff's Department linking him to a shooting incident. The officers discovered a substantial amount of methamphetamine in his vehicle during the search. Edmundson was subsequently arrested after attempting to evade the police.

In addition to the drugs, officers also uncovered several firearms in Edmundson's possession, which is illegal under federal law due to his prior felony convictions. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Gibson is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by multiple law enforcement agencies including the St. Joseph Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Buchanan County Sheriff's Department.

As a result of his guilty plea, Edmundson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison without parole, with the possibility of a life sentence. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled following a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

The case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by collaborating with law enforcement agencies and communities. The program focuses on fostering trust, supporting community-based violence prevention efforts, setting enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes to create safer neighborhoods for all residents.