A Kansas City, Missouri man was sentenced on Mar. 10 to 11 years in federal prison without parole after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and possessing methamphetamine.
Clifford E. Porter, age 40, received the sentence from U.S. District Judge Greg Kays following his guilty plea on Sept. 11, 2025. The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to address violent crime and drug offenses in the region.
According to court documents, a Kansas City Police Department detective witnessed Porter fire a single round at a man riding a bicycle during an argument with several people on Spruce Avenue on July 1, 2025. Officers responded within seconds and arrested Porter after he refused commands to surrender. A search revealed approximately 2.73 grams of methamphetamine in Porter’s pocket and a loaded Hi-Point Model C9 pistol nearby.
Federal law prohibits individuals with felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition. Porter has previous felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance, unlawful possession of a firearm, burglary in the first degree, and robbery in the second degree.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica Jennings and investigated by the Kansas City Police Department as part of Operation Take Back America, which aims to combat illegal immigration, dismantle criminal organizations, and reduce violent crime.
The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri supports community outreach and prevention programs aimed at addressing issues like violent crime and drug trafficking, according to the official website. The office handles federal prosecutions and civil litigation across 66 counties from the Iowa border in the north to Arkansas in the south and collaborates with federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement partners according to its official website. Offices are located in Kansas City, Jefferson City, and Springfield according to its official website, serving as part of the U.S. Department of Justice according to its official website.
