Press Release
KC Woman Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearm
For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Missouri
Arrested Driving Stolen Car Following High-Speed Police Chase
KANSAS CITY, MO. – A Kansas City, Missouri, woman who led police officers on a high-speed chase in a stolen car pleaded guilty in federal court today to illegally possessing a firearm.
Erin D. Bisby, 29, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, Bisby was present during an exchange of gunfire between multiple people on the morning of July 18, 2019. She was seen driving a stolen PT Cruiser near Truman and Prospect on July 27, 2019. A Kansas City police officer recognized the vehicle as having been reported stolen at gunpoint by an unknown man two days earlier. The officer attempted to stop the PT Cruiser, but Bisby fled at speeds up to 90 miles per hour. Bisby came to a stop at Independence and Ewing Avenue, where she exited the driver’s seat holding a loaded Jimenez Arms .380-caliber handgun, which had been reported stolen. Bisby ran on foot and dropped the handgun before she was taken into custody.
Bisby admitted that she possessed the Jimenez Arms handgun during the July 18, 2019, shootout. She also admitted that she was present when an acquaintance stole the PT Cruiser.
Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Bisby has a prior felony conviction for tampering with a motor vehicle, for which she was on probation at the time of this offense.
Under federal statutes, Bisby is subject to a sentence of up to 10 years in federal prison without parole. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. 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 Trey Alford. It was investigated by the Kansas City, Mo., Police Department.
Project Safe Neighborhoods
The U.S. Attorney’s Office is partnering with federal, state, and local law enforcement to specifically identify criminals responsible for significant violent crime in the Western District of Missouri. A centerpiece of this effort is Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer for everyone. Project Safe Neighborhoods is an evidence-based program that identifies the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develops comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, Project Safe Neighborhoods focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.
Updated April 23, 2021
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Project Safe Neighborhoods
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