Christian County Man Sentenced for Trafficking Firearms

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Clever, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court for one count each of conspiracy to traffic firearms, trafficking firearms, and unlawful possession of firearms.

Dakota Mitchell, 21, was sentenced by Chief U.S. District Judge Brian C. Wimes to 78 months in federal prison without parole. Mitchell's sentence will be followed by a three-year term of supervised release.

Mitchell unlawfully possessed six Glock pistols and a Micro Draco pistol between April 28, 2023, and July 9, 2024. Mitchell, who previously pleaded guilty, admitted to being a member of a local street gang known as "FTO," who have been linked to several violent crimes and firearm offenses.

Mitchell conspired with a straw purchaser to obtain four firearms, knowing he was prohibited from possessing firearms as an unlawful user of controlled substances. Many of the members of FTO are unable to purchase firearms due to their youth, history of drug use, or other prohibited status and use straw purchasers to obtain them.

On May 11, 2023, a detective with the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff's Office (GCSO) responded to a call about a road rage incident at the intersection of Farm Roads 137 and 182. In a post-Miranda interview Mitchell admitted to yelling and shooting at a vehicle that had stopped short at the intersection. GCSO officers seized a Glock 9mm pistol with a high-capacity magazine and a Glock .40 caliber pistol with a high-capacity magazine from the vehicle Mitchell was driving.

Officers with the Springfield, Mo., Police Department (SPD) responded to the scene of a car accident on Jan. 30, 2024, where Mitchell displayed a firearm. The victim of the accident identified Mitchell as the driver and brandisher of the firearm. SPD officers seized a loaded Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol with a high-capacity magazine from Mitchell.

On April 11, 2024, Ozark School Resource officers recovered a Glock 9mm pistol from a vehicle in the parking lot at Ozark High School. That firearm was ultimately traced back to Mitchell.

On July 9, 2024, when GCSO officers arrested Mitchell in relation to a vandalism incident, he was in possession of a Glock .40 caliber semi-automatic pistol. In a post-Miranda interview Mitchell told officers he had someone else buy guns for him because he was too young. He stated his straw purchaser purchased the Glock pistol seized on Jan. 30, the Glock seized on April 11, an additional Glock pistol that was not recovered, and an additional Micro Draco pistol for him. He also told officers he had been using marijuana daily since he was 11 or 12 years old and he occasionally used narcotics and psychedelic drugs.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Stephanie L. Wan. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Christian County, Mo., Sheriff's Office, the Flossmoor, Ill., Police Department, the Greene County, Mo., Sheriff's Office, and the Springfield, Mo., Police Department.

Operation Take Back America

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.