Show-Me State Times

A Grandview, Missouri man has been sentenced to five years in federal prison without parole for illegally possessing a firearm. John L. Arrocha, 50, received the sentence from U.S. District Judge Howard F. Sachs after pleading guilty on January 29, 2025, to being a felon in possession of a firearm.

The incident leading to Arrocha’s arrest occurred on June 2, 2024. Kansas City police officers responded to a business located in the 4300 block of Main Street following reports of a trespasser causing a disturbance. Officers found Arrocha at the scene and attempted to remove him from the property when he refused to leave. According to authorities, Arrocha resisted arrest and threatened to kill the officers involved.

After his arrest, police searched Arrocha and discovered a North American Arms Guardian .380 caliber pistol in his possession. The firearm had previously been reported stolen from Claycomo, Missouri. A check of Arrocha’s criminal record confirmed that he was already a convicted felon.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brad K. Kavanaugh prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Kansas City Police Department.

"This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results."