Bruce Humphrey, a St. Louis resident, was sentenced today to 92 months behind bars on federal charges of illegal firearm possession.
The decision comes at a time of intense debate in Missouri around gun laws, gun rights -- and how gun crimes are prosecuted.
In this federal case, it seems Humphrey will be spending more than seven years in prison because he illegally owned guns -- and had a criminal record.
Officials from the U.S. Attorney's Office Eastern District of Missouri announced the sentencing this afternoon for Humphrey, who was originally arrested by St. Louis police and appeared in court today.
Authorities say that he was convicted in December of one felony count of "being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm."
Humphrey is 25 years old and lived in the 63136 ZIP code of St. Louis, which includes Jennings and Bellefontaine Neighbors.
He was arrested by metro police as a person of interest with knowledge of a homicide -- when he was found to be in possession of a firearm. Because of his criminal history, this was forbidden.
Here's the full sentencing announcement from federal officials:
ST. LOUIS MAN SENTENCED ON FEDERAL GUN CHARGES
St. Louis, MO - Bruce Humphrey was sentenced to 92 months in prison on illegal weapons charges. Humphrey was arrested by St. Louis Police officers as a person of interest with knowledge of a homicide, and found to be in possession of a firearm. Due to his previous criminal history he is forbidden to own or possess a firearm.
Humphrey, 25, St. Louis, 63136, was convicted in December of one felony count of being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm, and appeared today for sentencing before United States District Judge Carol E. Jackson.
This case was investigated by St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Tom Mehan is handling the case for the U.S. Attorney's Office.
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