JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Beth Phillips, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Columbia, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for illegally possessing a firearm and cocaine.

Larry Eugene McBride, 25, of Columbia, was charged in a two-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City, Mo.

Today’s indictment charges McBride with being a felon in possession of a firearm and with possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute.

McBride allegedly was in possession of a Hi-Point Firearms .40-caliber pistol on May 27, 2011. On the same day, the indictment says, McBride possessed cocaine with the intent to distribute.

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. According to the indictment, McBride has prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance and distribution of a controlled substance.

Phillips cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt. Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence.

This case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Steven R. Berry. It was investigated by the Boone County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive and the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

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