KC Reporter

A man from Clever, Missouri, has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to firearms trafficking and illegal possession of weapons. Dakota Mitchell, 21, entered his plea before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to one count each of conspiracy to traffic firearms, trafficking firearms, and unlawful possession of firearms.

According to court documents, Mitchell conspired with a straw purchaser to obtain four firearms while knowing he was prohibited from possessing them due to his status as an unlawful user of controlled substances. Between April 28, 2023, and July 9, 2024, he unlawfully possessed six Glock pistols and a Micro Draco pistol.

The case details several incidents involving Mitchell and law enforcement. On May 11, 2023, Greene County Sheriff’s Office responded to a road rage incident at Farm Roads 137 and 182. After being read his Miranda rights, Mitchell admitted that he yelled at and shot toward another vehicle at the intersection. Officers seized two Glock pistols with high-capacity magazines from the BMW SUV Mitchell was driving.

On January 30, 2024, Springfield Police responded to a car accident where Mitchell displayed a firearm. The victim identified him as the driver who brandished the weapon. Police recovered a loaded Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol with a high-capacity magazine from Mitchell.

On April 11, 2024, Ozark School Resource officers found a Glock 9mm pistol in a vehicle parked at Ozark High School; this firearm was traced back to Mitchell.

Mitchell was arrested on July 9, 2024 by Greene County officers for an unrelated vandalism incident and was found in possession of another Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol. In subsequent interviews with law enforcement after his arrest, Mitchell said he had someone else purchase guns for him because he was too young. He stated that his straw purchaser bought several weapons for him—including those seized during previous incidents—and also admitted daily marijuana use since age eleven or twelve as well as occasional use of other drugs.

Mitchell also told officers that he is part of an area gang known as “FTO,” which has been connected to violent crimes and firearm offenses in the region. Many FTO members are unable to buy guns legally due to age or drug history and rely on straw purchasers for access.

Mitchell faces up to fifteen years in federal prison without parole on each conviction under federal statutes; however, actual sentencing will be determined by the court based on advisory guidelines following completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan is prosecuting the case following investigations conducted by multiple agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Christian County Sheriff’s Office; Flossmoor (Illinois) Police Department; Greene County Sheriff’s Office; and Springfield Police Department.

This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative led by the Department of Justice aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities nationwide.