Two Columbia men charged with illegal firearms, accused of having an assault rifle, handgun

Tom Larson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri announced on Friday that two Columbia men have been charged in federal court with illegally possessing firearms.

Ladame Smith, 23, and Lajuan Martin, 23, were each charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm in separate criminal complaints.

Both men are scheduled to have their initial court appearances today.

One criminal complaint against Smith, a felon, alleges he was in possession of an assault rifle and a semi-automatic handgun.

Another criminal complaint against Martin, also a felon, alleges he was in possession of a semi-automatic handgun.

Columbia police said they were conducting surveillance and observed Smith get into a car.

Police said they stopped the car, which was driven by Martin, because Smith was an active parole absconder.

Officers said they noticed a handgun on the driver’s side floorboard at Martin’s feet and the loaded assault rifle between the passenger seat and doorjamb where Smith was seated.

Police said they also saw another gun on the front passenger seat where Smith had been seated.

Officers said they smelled burnt marijuana and found eight grams of heroin and two alprazolam pills.

Smith has a prior felony convictions for unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful use of a firearm, burglary and stealing.

Martin has prior felony convictions for resisting arrest.