May 24, 2010

SHAWNEE MAN SENTENCED IN OLATHE GUN SHOP BURGLARY

KANSAS CITY, KAN. – Joseph M. Stutsman, 19, Shawnee, Kan., has been sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for burglarizing a gun shop in Olathe, U.S. Attorney Lanny Welch said today.

Stutsman pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to steal firearms. In his plea, Stutsman admitted he conspired with co-defendants Timothy F. Eker and Kenneth J. Sallaz to burglarize the Olathe Gun Shop on Jan. 9, 2009. Eker dropped Stutsman and Sallaz off at the store and parked nearby to act as a lookout. Stutsman and Sallaz entered through another business and crawled through the ceiling to get into the gun shop. During the burglary they tripped an alarm and left quickly with at least eight rifles and handguns.

Eker and Sallaz are awaiting sentencing. Co-defendant Jimmy L. Thomas was sentenced to 12 months and a day. Welch commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Shawnee Police Department and Assistant U.S. Attorney Terra Morehead for their work on the case.