Jefferson City man convicted by federal jury of gun possession

A federal jury has convicted a mid-Missouri man of illegally having a gun.

Charles Roark, 37, of Jefferson City, was convicted Monday in Jefferson City of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

During Roark’s trial, evidence showed he had a Smith & Wesson .40-caliber pistol when he was arrested on July 18, 2015.

Jefferson City police officers tried to pull over Roark on that day for having expired license plates. Roark did not stop for officers and continued to drive until the 300 block of Washington Street. There, he pulled into a parking lot and ran away from officers.

While trying to run away from officers, Roark pulled the handgun from his pants and threw it on the ground. Investigators later found the loaded weapon while they searched the area.

He then climbed a fence and continued to run. A police officer was able to grab Roark, where he continued to resist arrest.

During the chase, one of the officers broke his ankle.

Officers found $20,131 in Roark’s possession, of which $8,151 was discovered in the soles of his shoes.

Under federal law, it is illegal for a convicted felon to have a gun or ammunition.

Roark had prior federal felony convictions for dealing drugs and being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Roark also had prior state felony convictions for possession of a controlled substances, assault, driving while intoxicated and unlawful use of a weapon.

Under federal law, Roark could face a sentence of up to 10 years in prison without parole.