Springfield, Missouri man pleads guilty for being a felon in possession of a firearm (DOJ)

Press Release

Springfield, Missouri Man Pleads Guilty for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Wednesday, September 30, 2026

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For Immediate Release

U.S. Attorney's Office, Western District of Missouri

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. - A Springfield, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today for his illegal possession of a firearm.

Lonnie B. Dean, 52, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to one count of being a felon illegally in possession of a firearm. This defendant was charged as a part of Operation Spring Cleaning, that was coordinated by the United States Attorney's Office and law enforcement across southwest Missouri.

Dean pleaded guilty to the sole count of the indictment that charged him with illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On Dec. 24, 2025, Dean was contacted by law enforcement during a traffic stop. During that contact, Springfield Police Officers note that Dean had a current warrant for his arrest. As Dean was taken into custody, officers found a Glock Model 43x, 9mm firearm. The firearm was found in Dean's waistline. Officers noted that the firearm was loaded with ammunition and had a round of ammunition chambered in the weapon. Dean has prior felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance, theft of a motor vehicle, theft, and a prior illegal possession of a firearm.

Under federal statutes, Dean is subject to sentences of up to 15 years in federal prison without parole and a maximum fine of $250,000. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. 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 Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the Burau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Springfield Missouri Police Department.

Project Safe Neighborhoods

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.