Crime

Columbia man sentenced to nearly 5 years in federal prison

By Ryan Shiner

Published May 28, 2026 3:05 PM

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Columbia man who pleaded guilty earlier year to a federal gun crime was sentenced to nearly five years in prison on Wednesday.

Gerrell Lawrence, 30, pleaded guilty in federal court on Feb. 3 to illegal gun possession. He was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison.

A press release from the Department of Justice says he admitted to having a handgun on Oct. 1, 2025, in Columbia.

He is not allowed to possess guns because of a prior felony conviction, the release says.

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