Kansas City Man Sentenced to Nearly 22 Years in Prison for Drug and Gun Charges
Kansas City, Mo., has witnessed a tightening of the legal noose around a local man, Keith T. Mims, infamously known as “C-Murder.” Last Friday, he was handed a hefty sentence of 21 years and 10 months in federal prison without the possibility of parole. This severe punishment was imposed by U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs, marking another chapter in Mims’s troubling history with the law.
A Brief History of Crime
At the age of 54, Mims is not unfamiliar with the ins and outs of the justice system. His sentencing comes after pleading guilty to two serious charges: possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute and carrying a firearm in connection with drug trafficking. Due to his lengthy record of felony convictions, he was categorized as a career offender, which significantly influenced the length of his sentence.
The Arrest: A Chaotic Encounter
The legal troubles for Mims began on a chilly January day in 2022, specifically the 25th. Mims was simply walking along Belle Street in St. Joseph, Mo., when police officers approached him. Mims’s instinct—rather than standing down—was to run. What followed was a swift foot chase that ended with officers tackling him to the ground and placing him in handcuffs.
What the Officers Found
During a routine search of Mims, officers discovered a loaded Bryco Arms .22-caliber pistol tucked in his back pocket. To make matters worse, the pistol had an obliterated serial number, indicating that it was likely obtained through illicit means. However, the most alarming discovery was yet to come.
In a bag Mims was carrying, officers found a stash that included 4.18 grams of pure methamphetamine, 0.45 grams of crack cocaine, and a total of 10 pills. Things did not look good for Mims as he admitted to the officers that he knew he was breaking the law by possessing a firearm due to his previous convictions. Interestingly, he stated he felt the need to carry the gun for protection, famously quipping that he would “rather be judged by twelve than carried by six.”
A Long Road of Incarceration
According to court documents, Mims’s issues with the law span decades. With multiple convictions for possessing firearms and trafficking in narcotics, he has spent the bulk of the last 35 years entangled in the criminal justice system, either locked up or under some form of supervision. His latest sentence marks a significant chapter in a life long shadowed by illegal activities.
Justice Served
This case caught the eye of prosecutors Kenneth W. Borgnino and Stephanie C. Bradshaw, who managed to build a strong case against Mims, leading to his substantial sentence. The investigation was a collaborative effort involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, alongside local authorities from the St. Joseph and Sugar Creek police departments.
As Mims prepares for the long haul in federal prison, this case serves as a stark reminder of the legal consequences that come with drug trafficking and illegal firearm possession. The citizens of Kansas City can only hope that this will be a turning point, encouraging others to stay clear of such dangerous paths.
Meanwhile, the streets of Kansas City continue on, watching and waiting as the wheels of justice keep turning.
