JC man gets probation for gun charges

A Jefferson City man was placed on five years supervised probation for pleading guilty to charges in connection with a weapons offense last July.

Joseph M. Garcia, 32, was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful use of a weapon after officers responded to a disturbance in the 500 block of East Elm Street.

When officers arrived they found several people who claimed a disturbance involving a group of people led to one person making threats and displaying a firearm.

According to witness statements, a fight broke out between two women, one of whom was Garcia's girlfriend. During the scuffle, Garcia went in an apartment and retrieved a pistol, which he brandished, threatening the other party and others in the area.

When the fight continued despite his threats, Garcia fired one shot into the air, which then dispersed the crowd. He then went back into the apartment and was later apprehended by officers, who retrieved one spent shell casing and Garcia's 9mm pistol.