Marshall man who shot at Pettis County deputies sentenced to 22 years in prison

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

A Marshall man who was accused of shooting and injuring two Pettis County deputies last year was sentenced to more than 22 years in federal prison, according to a Wednesday press release from the Department of Justice.

James Joseph Elsea, 63, pleaded guilty in January to two counts of illegal gun and drug possession and illegally shooting a gun while committing a drug trafficking offense, the release says. He was sentenced to 265 months in prison followed by supervised release.

According to court documents in previous reporting, deputies served a “no-knock” warrant for a drug investigation on Friday, May 2, 2025 at a house in the 27000 block of Route BB. Court documents said that Elsea is “known to be armed.”

Two law enforcement members were shot and Elsea allegedly called 911 to say he shot someone, the release and previous reporting says. One deputy was hit above their knee and the other was shot near their calf. One SWAT member returned fire, court documents in previous reporting say.