KANSAS CITY, Mo. - An Independence, Mo., man was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm

Dustin Edward Talbott, also known as "Chunky Dunker," 41, was sentenced by U.S. District Court Judge Gregory Kays to 71 months in prison without parole for being a felon and illicit drug user in possession of a firearm.

On Aug. 18, 2025, Talbott pleaded guilty to knowingly being a felon and illegal drug user in possession of a Ranger, Model 101.11A, .22 caliber long rifle in Independence, Mo.

Early in the afternoon on April 8, 2024, an Independence, Mo., Police Department officer observed a Chevy Cobalt with a stolen license plate. The officer saw the driver, who was later identified as Dustin Talbott, park at a local convenience store. After backup officers arrived at the scene, they detained Talbott and two other passengers. During the course of the investigation, officers learned Talbott had a warrant for his arrest. They also learned that Talbott did not have a valid driver's license and the car was unregistered. While conducting an inventory search of the vehicle before it was towed, officers found the Ranger, .22 caliber rifle that was on the floorboard between the driver's seat and driver's door. Law enforcement officials also found a methamphetamine pipe on the driver's side floorboard and two syringes in a passenger-door compartment. A box of .22 caliber ammunition was found in the glove box. At the scene, Talbott admitted to previously putting the firearm in the trunk of the vehicle. Later, Talbott stated during an interview that he was with another person who Talbott clamed was shooting the .22 caliber rifle into a homeless camp earlier that morning. Talbott also told the detective that he had previously moved the .22 caliber rifle off his bed in his cabin. Talbott also admitted to using "ice," which is street term for methamphetamine. Additionally, Talbott had previously been convicted of a felon offense.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Trey Alford and James Kirkpatrick. It was investigated by the Independence, 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.