Jury Convicts Jefferson City Man of Illegal Firearms

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Jefferson City, Mo., man has been convicted by a federal trial jury today for illegally possessing firearms.

Terrence Lamar Hawkins, 46, of Jefferson City, was found guilty on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, of two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Hawkins was found guilty of possessing a Hi-Point .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol on Feb. 24, 2011. Hawkins was also found guilty of possessing a Hi-Point 9mm semi-automatic pistol on March 24, 2011. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Hawkins has a prior felony conviction for unlawful use of a weapon in Cole County, Mo.

Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Hawkins was arrested twice by the Lincoln University Police Department at the Lincoln University Scruggs Student Center cafeteria in Jefferson City. At the time of both arrests, Scruggs was carrying a concealed handgun.

On Feb. 24, 2011, Hawkins, who appeared to be intoxicated, was confronted by police officers in the student center cafeteria. Officers noticed a bulge in his front, left pocket. When questioned about the bulge, Hawkins stated that it was nothing. When informed that officers were going to check his pockets, Hawkins attempted to flee and was detained by officers. Officers recovered a loaded Hi-Point .40-caliber pistol from Hawkins. Hawkins was then arrested and warned that he would be arrested for trespassing if he returned to Lincoln University.

On March 24, 2011, officers were dispatched to the Scruggs Student Center after a report that Hawkins was present, in violation of the trespass order. Hawkins was subsequently arrested for trespassing. During a search, a loaded Hi-Point 9mm pistol was found in his pants pocket.

Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Mo., deliberated for about 30 minutes before returning the verdicts to U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, ending a trial that began Monday, Nov. 3, 2014.

Under federal statutes, Hawkins is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $500,000. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence E. Miller. It was investigated by the Lincoln University Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Jefferson City, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Cole County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tammy Dickinson, United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced today that a Jefferson City, Mo., man has been convicted by a federal trial jury today for illegally possessing firearms.

Terrence Lamar Hawkins, 46, of Jefferson City, was found guilty on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, of two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Hawkins was found guilty of possessing a Hi-Point .40-caliber semi-automatic pistol on Feb. 24, 2011. Hawkins was also found guilty of possessing a Hi-Point 9mm semi-automatic pistol on March 24, 2011. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Hawkins has a prior felony conviction for unlawful use of a weapon in Cole County, Mo.

Evidence introduced during the trial indicated that Hawkins was arrested twice by the Lincoln University Police Department at the Lincoln University Scruggs Student Center cafeteria in Jefferson City. At the time of both arrests, Scruggs was carrying a concealed handgun.

On Feb. 24, 2011, Hawkins, who appeared to be intoxicated, was confronted by police officers in the student center cafeteria. Officers noticed a bulge in his front, left pocket. When questioned about the bulge, Hawkins stated that it was nothing. When informed that officers were going to check his pockets, Hawkins attempted to flee and was detained by officers. Officers recovered a loaded Hi-Point .40-caliber pistol from Hawkins. Hawkins was then arrested and warned that he would be arrested for trespassing if he returned to Lincoln University.

On March 24, 2011, officers were dispatched to the Scruggs Student Center after a report that Hawkins was present, in violation of the trespass order. Hawkins was subsequently arrested for trespassing. During a search, a loaded Hi-Point 9mm pistol was found in his pants pocket.

Following the presentation of evidence, the jury in the U.S. District Court in Jefferson City, Mo., deliberated for about 30 minutes before returning the verdicts to U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2014, ending a trial that began Monday, Nov. 3, 2014.

Under federal statutes, Hawkins is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison without parole, plus a fine up to $500,000. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.

This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence E. Miller. It was investigated by the Lincoln University Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Jefferson City, Mo., Police Department, the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Cole County, Mo., Sheriff’s Department.