A Jefferson City man will spend nearly five years in federal prison after pleading guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court records, the Jefferson City Police Department received information on July 31, 2013, from a informant that convicted felon Jerramie Ingram, 24, always carried a gun.
Ingram was later observed walking on McCarty Street near the Jefferson City Police Department. An officer saw Ingram, approached him and asked if he could speak with him. Ingram agreed, and the officer advised him that "the word on the street" was that he carried a firearm.
Ingram became increasingly tense and seemed to shield his right side. He stated he did not have a gun, but denied consent to search. Based on the reliable information received, the officer advised the defendant that he would be patted down. As the officer began to conduct the pat down, Ingram cupped his right front jean pocket and moved that side away from the officer. The officer placed his hand on Ingram's right front pocket and felt what the officer recognized to be a small semi-automatic pistol.
Ingram pushed the officer away and tried to run. A struggle ensued, but Ingram was ultimately taken to the ground. After he was handcuffed, a Smith & Wesson Bodyguard .380-caliber pistol was removed from Ingram's right front pocket. The firearm was determined to have been stolen from a residence in Holts Summit between Feb. 27 and March 1, 2013.
When interviewed at the Cole County Jail, Ingram said he paid $120 for the firearm. He said the serial number was scratched when he bought the gun, and he admitted he knew the gun was likely stolen. The defendant stated he needed the gun because he "had problems with some guys."
Ingram was previously convicted of felony possession of a controlled substance in 2010, and felony distribution/possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance in 2011.