U.S. Department of Justice
United States Attorney
Eastern District of Missouri
Eastern District of Missouri
For Immediate Release
January 17, 2012
Richard Callahan, United States Attorney
Sikeston Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Charges
The United States Attorney’s Office announced today that a Sikeston, Missouri man pled guilty to gun charges.
THOMAS C. LOVETTE, age 45, pled guilty to two felony counts of being a Previously Convicted Felon in Possession of a Firearm. He appeared before United States District Judge Henry E. Autrey.
In January, 2011, officers arrested Lovette who was in possession of a Glock, 9mm caliber pistol. Lovette told the officers that he traded two other pistols for the firearm at a local firearms store. Lovette admitted that he also had a rifle at his residence in Sikeston. Officers went to the residence and recovered a Smith & Wesson, 5.56 mm caliber rifle, and several rounds of ammunition of various calibers.
Federal officers also found records verifying that Lovette traded a Taurus, 9mm pistol, and a Taurus, .45 caliber pistol for the 9mm Glock.
Due to Lovette’s previous conviction for the felonies of False Official Statements, Larceny of Military Property, and Impersonating a Non–Commissioned Officer in 2004, he is prohibited from possessing firearms.
Lovette now faces a maximum punishment of 10 years imprisonment and a $250,000 fine on each count. Sentencing has been set for April 17, 2012.
This case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Keith D. Sorrell is handling the prosecution for the Government.
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