Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Mobile, Alabama Man Sentenced to Over 11 Years in Prison for Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Animal Crushing, and Escape
Gulfport, Miss. – A Mobile, AL man was sentenced to a total of 135 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, animal crushing and escape, announced U.S. Attorney Darren J. LaMarca and Special Agent in Charge Kurt Thielhorn of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
Richard McGuire, 44, was sentenced today in U.S. District Court in Gulfport.
On March 29, 2022, Moss Point Police officers responded to an alarm call at Tay’s BBQ/Shell Station located on Highway 63 in Moss Point, MS. Officers identified a suspect and began searching the area for him. The suspect, who was later identified as Richard J. McGuire, was located behind another business but fled on foot when officers tried to approach him.
Moss Point Police K9 “Buddy” was released to track McGuire but the suspect fled over a privacy fence. Buddy continued to pursue McGuire into a wooded area when officers heard two gunshots and Buddy returned to them, having been shot in the chest.
On August 2, 2022, McGuire pled guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and animal crushing. On August 5, 2022, McGuire attempted to escape from the Pearl River County Adult Detention Center where he was being held without bond for the charges to which he pled guilty. He manipulated the fence and was apprehended just outside the facility by officers in the area. McGuire pled guilty to the escape offense on November 29, 2022.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Erica Rose.
K9 Buddy made a full recovery.