NEWS RELEASE

OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES ATTORNEY

WESTERN DISTRICT OF MISSOURI

JOHN F. WOOD

Contact Don Ledford, Public Affairs ● (816) 426-4220 ● 400 East Ninth Street, Room 5510 ● Kansas City, MO 64106

www.usdoj.gov/usao/mow/index.html

JANUARY 22, 2008

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PROJECT CEASEFIRE

EXCELSIOR SPRINGS MAN PLEADS GUILTY

TO ILLEGAL FIREARM

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – John F. Wood, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that an Excelsior Springs, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing a firearm. Today’s guilty plea is a result of Project Ceasefire, the district’s ongoing anti-crime initiative.

Donald D. Martin, 23, of Excelsior Springs, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Scott O. Wright this morning to the charge contained in a Nov. 7, 2007, federal indictment.

By pleading guilty today, Martin admitted that he was in possession of a Colt .32-caliber semi-automatic pistol on Aug. 2, 2007. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Martin has a 2004 criminal felony conviction for assault.

Under federal statutes, Martin could be subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $250,000. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jess E. Michaelsen. It was investigated by the Excelsior Springs, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

Project Ceasefire

Project Ceasefire, launched in October 1999, is a cooperative initiative by federal and local law enforcement and the Kansas City Crime Commission that targets for federal prosecution persons who unlawfully use or possess firearms.

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This news release, as well as additional information about the office of the United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, is available on-line at