KC Reporter

An Independence, Missouri man, Clinton W. Davis, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges related to methamphetamine trafficking and illegal possession of firearms. The indictment, issued on January 8, replaces an earlier criminal complaint filed against Davis in December 2024.

Davis faces four charges: possessing methamphetamine with intent to distribute, possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking, and two counts of being a felon in possession of firearms. The charges stem from incidents beginning on December 8 when police attempted to stop Davis for driving a Honda Accord with expired plates. He allegedly led officers on a high-speed chase before abandoning the vehicle after it was disabled by tire deflation devices.

A subsequent search of the Honda revealed body armor, two loaded semi-automatic firearms, methamphetamine, mushrooms, and a drug ledger. On December 20, police surveilled Davis as he drove a stolen BMW to a gas station. After an attempted escape and confrontation involving CS gas and bean bags deployed by officers, Davis was apprehended.

Inside the BMW, officers found additional weapons and drugs including another loaded firearm reported stolen. Federal law prohibits convicted felons like Davis from possessing firearms or ammunition; his criminal history includes prior felony convictions for assault and drug-related offenses.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashleigh A. Ragner is prosecuting the case following an investigation by the Independence Police Department. This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aiming to reduce violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and community organizations.

The indictment's charges are accusations requiring proof at trial where guilt or innocence will be determined by a federal jury.