KANSAS CITY, Mo. – A Kansas City, Mo., man who fled from Independence, Mo. Police Department officers in a highspeed vehicular chase, was sentenced in federal court today for illegally possessing a firearm.Michael A. Winchester, 22, was sentenced by U.S. Chief District Court Judge Brian C.
Wimes to 51 months in prison without parole for being a felon in possession of a firearm.On July 2, 2025, Winchester pleaded guilty to knowingly being a felon in possession of a Ruger, 5.7 caliber, handgun.According to court documents, on Apr. 3, 2025, Independence, Mo., Police Department officers were patrolling the area of E. Wilson Rd. and S. Brookside Ave. when they heard multiple gunshots coming from the area just east of their position. They went to the area where they heard the gunshots and observed a silver Dodge Caravan that had a license plate registered to a different vehicle.
Officers initiated their emergency lights, and the driver, later identified as Winchester, began a highspeed chase that reached speeds of up to 107 MPH. The vehicle finally stopped while heading westbound on E. U.S. 24 just west of the Paseo Blvd.Winchester had two passengers in his vehicle. An inventory search of the vehicle discovered the Ruger handgun and an expended shell casing under the driver’s gas pedal.
Officers discovered that Winchester had a prior felony conviction and accordingly placed him under arrest.This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Trey Alford. It was investigated by the Independence, Mo. Police Department, and the Kansas City, Mo.
Police Department.Operation Take Back AmericaThis case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.