A federal grand jury has charged Dorian Colby Gardner, 38, of Columbia, Missouri, with possession of a firearm in Cooper County on November 24, 2025. Gardner is prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law due to previous felony convictions.
The indictment states that the charges are accusations and not evidence of guilt. “Evidence supporting the charges must be presented to a federal trial jury, whose duty is to determine guilt or innocence,” according to the announcement.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Lauren E. Kummerer is prosecuting the case. The investigation was conducted by the Boonville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America. According to officials, “This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.”
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri works with various law enforcement partners at federal, state, local and tribal levels and covers prosecutions across 66 counties in western Missouri. Its jurisdiction extends from Iowa to Arkansas borders north to south and from Kansas border eastward across half the state (official website). The office also supports community outreach programs addressing violent crime and drug trafficking.
The U.S. Attorney’s offices are located in Kansas City, Jefferson City and Springfield (official website). The office operates as part of the U.S. Department of Justice (official website).
