An Independence, Missouri man has pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and drug user. Dustin Edward Talbott, also known as “Chunky Dunker,” 40, admitted before U.S. District Judge Greg Kays that he was aware of his prior felony conviction and illicit drug use when he knowingly possessed a Ranger Model 101-11A .22 caliber rifle in Independence.
On April 8, 2024, at about 1:36 p.m., an officer with the Independence Police Department noticed a Chevy Cobalt with a stolen license plate. The driver, identified as Talbott, parked at a local convenience store. Officers detained Talbott and two passengers after backup arrived. Authorities learned that Talbott had an outstanding arrest warrant and did not have a valid driver’s license. The vehicle was set to be towed due to the lack of legal plates.
During an inventory search before towing the car, officers discovered the .22 caliber rifle on the floorboard between the driver’s seat and door. A methamphetamine pipe was found on the driver’s side floorboard, along with two syringes in a passenger-door compartment. Officers also located a box of .22 caliber ammunition in the glove box.
At first, Talbott denied owning the firearm but admitted to having previously placed it in the trunk of the vehicle. In a later interview with detectives, he stated he had been with another person who allegedly fired the rifle into a homeless camp earlier that morning. He further admitted to using “ice,” or methamphetamine, and acknowledged his status as a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms.
Talbott faces up to 15 years in federal prison without parole under federal law. Sentencing will be determined by the court following completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.
The case is prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney James Kirkpatrick and investigated by the Independence Police Department.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative using Department of Justice resources to address illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from violent crime through efforts such as OCDETFs and Project Safe Neighborhood.
