A Leeton, Missouri man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison without parole for illegally possessing a firearm. William N. Brown, 54, received the sentence from U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs after pleading guilty on February 13, 2025, to being a felon in possession of a firearm as an armed career criminal.
Brown admitted to possessing a Benelli 12-gauge shotgun with the serial number removed on February 26, 2024. The shotgun had been modified with both the barrel and butt stock sawed off.
Authorities arrested Brown on February 26, 2024, following reports from witnesses who saw him walking to a neighbor’s house carrying a machete and a shotgun. Deputies from the Johnson County Sheriff’s Office obtained a search warrant for Brown’s residence and found the shotgun hidden in a seating bench with storage space.
Federal law prohibits anyone convicted of a felony from possessing firearms or ammunition. Brown has multiple prior felony convictions including unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful use of a weapon – exhibiting, tampering, driving while revoked or suspended, assault, arson, burglary, stealing, possession of a controlled substance, and damage to jail property.
“This case was prosecuted by Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica L. Jennings. It was investigated by the Johnson County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office.”
The prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative by the Department of Justice that brings together resources to address illegal immigration and combat violent crime through programs such as the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
