Sedalia man pleads guilty to federal drug and gun charges

A Sedalia man pleaded guilty on Tuesday to possessing methamphetamine with the intent to sell and to illegally possessing a gun.

The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri said Justin Ray Shelledy, 38, pleaded guilty to the charges from a March 17 federal indictment. Shelledy admitted to having more than 50 grams of methamphetamine with plans to sell it. He also admitted to possesing a Ruger 9 mm handgun and ammunition.

Shelledy had previous felony convictions for unlawful use of weapon and domestic violence. Under federal law, it is illegal for Shelledy to have a gun or ammunition.

According to court documents, Shelledy was arrested on an a outstanding Pettis County warrant after getting out of a vehicle at a home on March 4.

Sedalia police officers said they found a black sunglasses case in Shelledy’s pocket. Inside the case, there was a plastic baggie that contained 6.9 grams of methamphetamine, 1.5 grams of marijuana and five prescription pills.

Police discovered two cellphones and a loaded clip for the gun inside Shelledy’s vehicle.

Officers found the handgun, another loaded clip and three baggies that contained a total of 57.7 grams of methamphetamine inside a bedroom in the house.

Shelledy faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in federal prison without parole.

At last check, a sentencing hearing hasn’t been scheduled.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence E. Miller.

It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Sedalia Police Department and the Pettis County Sheriff’s Department.