A Clever, Missouri man has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges related to the illegal possession and trafficking of firearms. Dakota Mitchell, 21, entered his plea before U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool, admitting to one count each of conspiracy to traffic firearms, trafficking firearms, and unlawful possession of firearms.
According to court documents, Mitchell conspired with a straw purchaser to obtain four firearms while knowing he was prohibited from owning them due to his use of controlled substances. Between April 28, 2023, and July 9, 2024, Mitchell unlawfully possessed six Glock pistols and a Micro Draco pistol.
The investigation included several incidents involving law enforcement. On May 11, 2023, Greene County Sheriff’s Office responded to a road rage incident at Farm Roads 137 and 182 where Mitchell admitted after being read his rights that he had yelled and fired shots at another vehicle. Officers seized two Glock pistols with high-capacity magazines from the vehicle Mitchell was driving.
On January 30, 2024, Springfield Police responded to a car accident where Mitchell displayed a firearm. The victim identified him as the driver who brandished the weapon. Police recovered a loaded Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol with a high-capacity magazine.
On April 11, 2024, Ozark School Resource officers found a Glock 9mm pistol in a vehicle parked at Ozark High School; the firearm was traced back to Mitchell.
Mitchell was arrested on July 9, 2024 by Greene County officers for an unrelated vandalism incident while in possession of another Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol. In interviews with law enforcement following his arrest and after being read his rights, Mitchell admitted that someone else purchased guns for him because he was too young. He stated that his straw purchaser had acquired multiple Glock pistols as well as a Micro Draco pistol on his behalf. He also told officers about daily marijuana use since age eleven or twelve and occasional use of narcotics and psychedelic drugs.
Mitchell acknowledged membership in an area gang known as “FTO,” which has been connected to violent crimes and firearm offenses in the region. Many FTO members are reportedly unable to legally purchase firearms due to their age or criminal histories and rely on straw purchasers for access.
Under federal law, each conviction carries up to fifteen years in prison without parole; however actual sentencing will be determined by the court after review of presentence investigations conducted by the United States Probation Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan is prosecuting the case following investigations by multiple agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Christian County Sheriff’s Office; Flossmoor (Illinois) Police Department; Greene County Sheriff’s Office; and Springfield Police Department.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative designed to reduce violent crime through collaboration among law enforcement agencies and community organizations across all levels of government.
