Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Tom Larson, Acting United States Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, announced that a Jefferson City, Mo., man was indicted by a federal grand jury today after he shot at police officers who were executing a search warrant at his residence.

 

Ardaris Webb Cheatham, 33, of Jefferson City, was charged in a four-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City. Today’s indictment replaces a federal criminal complaint that was filed against Cheatham on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017, and contains additional charges.

 

Today’s indictment charges Cheatham with one count of possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute, one count of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a drug-trafficking crime and one count of assaulting a federal law enforcement task force officer. The indictment also contains the original charge of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. All of the charges relate to an incident that occurred on Monday, Sept. 11, 2017.

 

According to an affidavit filed in support of the original criminal complaint, the Jefferson City Police Department SWAT Team executed a search warrant for narcotics at Cheatham’s residence at approximately 12:35 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2017. When officers entered the residence, the affidavit says, Cheatham fired a Beretta .40-caliber pistol at the officers as he retreated into the residence. Cheatham attempted to escape by exiting the basement, but was apprehended by other officers who were stationed outside.

 

Officers found approximately 27 pounds of marijuana hidden in various locations within
Cheatham’s residence. A methamphetamine pipe with residue was also found in a bedroom.

 

A witness later told investigators that she purchased the firearm two years ago. She said Cheatham had fired the gun in the past, and sometimes handled the firearm in the residence.

 

Under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition. Cheatham has a prior felony conviction for possession of a controlled substance.

 

Larson cautioned that the charges contained in this indictment are simply accusations, and not evidence of guilt.

 

This case is being prosecuted by Supervisory Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael S. Oliver. It was investigated by the Jefferson City, Mo., Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.