KC Reporter

A man from Lee’s Summit, Missouri, Jacob A. Stockbridge, aged 31, admitted to illegally possessing firearms in a federal court today. Stockbridge entered a guilty plea before U.S. Magistrate Judge Lajuana M. Counts for one count of being a felon in possession of firearms.

The incident leading to Stockbridge's charges occurred on November 20, 2022. Stockbridge was driving a Ford F150 truck when he collided with another vehicle at the intersection of W. 23rd Street and S. Crysler Avenue in Independence, Missouri. Eyewitnesses and surveillance footage showed Stockbridge fleeing the scene, leaving his wallet and cell phone in the wrecked truck.

Upon investigation, authorities discovered three stolen shotguns in the backseat of the truck. The firearms were identified as two Winchester Model 97, 12-gauge shotguns, and a Beretta A391 Extrema 2, 12-gauge shotgun. Stockbridge had previously been convicted of 10 felony offenses in Missouri.

Under federal law, Stockbridge faces a maximum of 15 years in federal prison without the possibility of parole. The final sentencing will be determined by the court following an advisory sentencing guideline and the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad K. Kavanaugh is prosecuting the case, which was investigated by the Independence, Missouri Police Department.

This case is associated with Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a collaborative program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. The PSN initiative focuses on building community trust, supporting violence prevention organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and evaluating outcomes. The Department of Justice enhanced the program's strategy on May 26, 2021, to further these objectives.