Judge sentences St. Louis man for being a felon in possession of a firearm

ST. LOUIS, MO – United States District Audrey G. Fleissig sentenced Byron Hubbard to 60 months in prison. The 30-year-old St. Louis, Missouri resident pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

On March 12, 2018, a St. Louis County Police officer noticed a vehicle stalled in the 10000 block of Count Drive with Hubbard seated in the driver’s seat. The officer conducted a check of the license plates and learned they were not registered to the vehicle. The officer turned on the patrol car’s lights and sirens.

Hubbard quickly drove away, stopped and tried to get out of the vehicle. The officer ordered Hubbard to stay in the vehicle. The officer noticed Hubbard acting nervous and trying to avoid attention. The officer also smelled an odor consistent with the smell of marijuana and then asked Hubbard to leave the vehicle to allow a vehicle search. Hubbard verbally objected so the officer told him he was going to be detained. Hubbard then tried to drive away.

In response, the office reached through the driver’s door and put the vehicle in park. Hubbard resisted stating he would not leave the vehicle. Another officer opened the passenger’s side door and noticed a handgun sticking out of Hubbard’s pant pocket. The officer pulled the loaded 9mm semi-automatic from Hubbard’s pocket and rendered it safe. After the firearm was recovered, the officer searched Hubbard and found 49 capsules containing a mixture of heroin and fentanyl. A computer check revealed Hubbard is a convicted felon.

The St. Louis County Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Sara Koppenaal handled the case.

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