KC Reporter

A Springfield, Missouri man has been sentenced to 95 months in federal prison for unlawfully possessing a firearm. Michael G. Caldwell, 37, received the sentence from U.S. District Court Judge Stephen R. Bough and will serve three years of supervised release following his prison term.

Caldwell pleaded guilty on August 29, 2024, to one count of possession of a firearm by a felon. The charges stem from an incident on April 2, 2024, when Springfield Police Department officers conducted a traffic stop on a Dodge Charger driven by Caldwell. During the stop, officers noticed Caldwell making suspicious movements near the center console.

After removing him from the vehicle and overcoming physical resistance, officers detained Caldwell. A search of the vehicle revealed a Ruger pistol located between the center console and front passenger seat. Additionally, $1,610 in cash was seized from Caldwell.

The Ruger pistol linked Caldwell to a shooting in Springfield on March 21, 2024. Shell casings found at the scene matched those from the Ruger seized during his arrest. Cell site data also confirmed that Caldwell's phone was present at the shooting location.

Federal law prohibits individuals with felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition. Caldwell's criminal history includes prior felony convictions for robbery and controlled substance offenses.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie Wan prosecuted this case which was investigated by multiple agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), and Springfield Police Department.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement and communities.