KC Reporter

A Stanberry, Mo., man who threatened to kill law enforcement officers during his arrest was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a sawed-off shotgun.

Erin L. Graves, 45, received an eight-year and four-month federal prison sentence without parole from U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs.

On May 1, 2024, Graves pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and to illegally possessing an unregistered firearm. He admitted to having a stolen Remington 20-gauge shotgun with a barrel shorter than 18 inches on January 15, 2024.

The sentence includes an enhancement for obstruction of justice due to multiple threats Graves made against law enforcement officers.

According to court documents, Graves referred to the sawed-off shotgun as his “cop killer” and said that if he had shells for it, the officers’ heads would be "splattered all over the wall." During transport to jail, he threatened to kill the deputy and force his family to watch. He also stated that he should have killed the officers and threatened that given another chance, he would do so. Additionally, Graves made several threats against guards and security officers at the jail and Department of Corrections, stating they “better have several down there” because he’s “going to take as many of [them] out as he can.” Threatening statements were also made regarding his parole officer.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone convicted of a felony to possess any firearm or ammunition. At the time of this federal offense, Graves was on parole in two separate state cases and had five prior felony convictions for stealing; two prior felony convictions each for driving while suspended or revoked; tampering with a motor vehicle; burglary; and one prior felony conviction each for possession of a controlled substance and resisting arrest.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica L. Jennings prosecuted this case following investigations by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Gentry County Sheriff’s Office; and the Northwest Missouri Drug Task Force.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021, focusing on fostering trust within communities, supporting community-based violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.