Topeka Man Pleads Guilty To Federal Gun Charge

TOPEKA, KAN. – A Topeka man pleaded guilty today to a federal gun charge, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said.

Troy A. Kurtti, 21, Topeka, Kan., pleaded guilty to unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. In his plea, he admitted he possessed a .25 caliber pistol when he was arrested July 15, 2013, at the Value Place Hotel in Topeka. Police were called by a manager who reported receiving a bad check as payment for a room. Kurtti was found hiding in a bathroom and the gun was found in a trash can where he hid it. He was prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm because of prior convictions in Shawnee County District Court for possession of methamphetamine, eluding police and theft.

Sentencing is set for June 9. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison and a fine up to $250,000. Grissom commended the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and Assistant U.S. Attorney Richard Hathaway for their work on the case.