SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — A West Plains man has been sentenced in federal court for illegally possessing a sawed-off shotgun, which was found in one of the two vehicles he stole within a week of each other.
Thirty-three-year-old Michael Bryant was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to eight years in federal prison without parole.
On Nov. 18, 2021, Bryant pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
A Howell County sheriff’s deputy located a stolen vehicle in a trailer park on Oct. 23, 2019. As the deputy was about to search the trailer, he heard glass break and saw Bryant jump out of the back window of the trailer. The deputy chased him until he injured his leg and Bryant was able to escape.
Another deputy arrived and searched the stolen vehicle. The deputy found a loaded 12-gauge sawed-off shotgun wedged between the driver’s side door and seat.
On Oct. 28, 2019, an individual called the Howell County Sheriff’s Department to report a vehicle was stuck on a rock near the driveway of her rental property. Deputies arrived at the location and found an extensively damaged truck stuck on some rocks. The truck’s license plate was registered to another vehicle. Deputies learned that Bryant, who had a number of outstanding arrest warrants, had been operating the truck earlier in the day.
The deputies knocked on the door of a nearby residence. They were told that Bryant was no longer there, but refused permission to enter the residence to search for him. While the investigators began preparing a warrant to search the home, Bryant came out of the residence and was taken into custody.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition.
Bryant has prior felony convictions for tampering with a motor vehicle, stealing, resisting arrest, and possession of a controlled substance.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI