Springfield Man Sentenced to 130 Months for Illegally Possessing Firearms

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Springfield, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court for one count of being a felon in possession of firearms.

Ricky Joe Braden, 38, was sentenced by Senior U.S. District Judge M. Douglas Harpool to 130 months in federal prison without parole, followed by three years of supervised release. Braden pleaded guilty on Sept. 29, 2025.

Braden was previously convicted of multiple felonies, including tampering with a motor vehicle and forgery. Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition.

On Aug. 8, 2022, officers with the Springfield, Missouri Police Department (SPD) responded to a 911 call at Braden's residence. Witnesses, who were at the property with the landlord's permission, reported that Braden retrieved a pistol from a vehicle and pointed the gun at them, demanding they leave the property. Braden then pointed it at his wife before shooting at the ground. While on scene, officers saw Braden exit his residence and travel through backyards in the neighborhood, carrying his child in front of him. Officers were able to eventually handcuff Braden, who was initially uncooperative and ignored multiple commands.

While conducting a search warrant at the residence, SPD investigators found a loaded .40 caliber Glock pistol with an extended magazine, a loaded 9mm Glock pistol, a loaded, stolen Charter Arms .38 special revolver, and spent shell casings in Braden's vehicle. Officers also found a Stag Arms, 5.56 caliber AR-15 style semi-automatic rifle and multiple 30-round magazines in a second truck, and various additional firearm magazines, ammunition, and other firearm accessories on the property. A third vehicle on the property, which appeared to belong to Braden's wife, had bullet holes in the door and windshield. Braden's hands tested positive for gunshot residue and officers located brass knuckles on his person.

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, Missouri 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.