Versallies man pleads guilty to federal gun charges
A Versailles man who stole nine guns during a pawn shop burglary pleaded guilty Monday in federal court.
Joseph M. Melendez, 47, pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of firearms before U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps Jr., the office of the U.S. attorney for the Western District of Missouri said in a news release. Melendez admitted Monday to breaking into Ozark Gun & Pawn in Versailles in July 2016, according to the release.
Authorities found the nine stolen guns during a search of Melendez’s residence, including a pistol with a pawn shop price tag in a minivan outside the home, the release said. Melendez faces up to 10 years in prison without parole under federal sentencing laws. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after a presentence investigation.
