Case for man accused of buying gun for minor refiled as misdemeanor

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A man accused of buying a gun for a minor last year had his case refiled as a misdemeanor on Wednesday.

Deangelo Washington Jr., of Columbia, was charged with misdemeanor unlawful transfer of a weapon. He was previously charged with felony illegally transferring a handgun. A criminal summons was issued on Thursday. An initial court appearance was scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 27.

The probable cause statement says that a 14-year-old was found on Feb. 23, 2024, with a loaded handgun that was purchased by Washington on Jan. 19, 2024, when he was 22.

The gun was found as Boone County deputies served a search warrant related to a murder investigation, according to a probable cause statement. The statement does not describe the murder case and does not say Washington was involved in any homicide.

Deputies searched the youth’s phone and allegedly found messages between the youth and Washington related to the purchase, the statement says.