Reeds resident sentenced to 12 1/2 years on federal weapons charge

A Reeds man was sentenced today in U. S. District Court in Springfield to 12 1/2 years in prison on a federal weapons charge.

A federal grand jury indicted James Snare, 33, in 2017 for illegally possessing a firearm after the Carthage Police Department arrested him for drunk driving.After Snare completes his sentence, he will be placed under supervised probation for five years.

Snare originally entered a guilty plea in October 2017, but withdrew the plea saying his lawyer had not explained adequately just how much time he would be serving in prison.

The 2017 sentence is exactly the same as the one Snare received today.








Snare's crimes were detailed in a sentencing memorandum filed March 5.


On November 26, 2016, at approximately 12:17 a.m., Officer Jeffrey Pinnell of the Carthage Police Department observed a vehicle cross the center line in the 2400 block of South Grand Street. The officer turned around and activated his emergency equipment. 

The officer contacted the driver of the vehicle, the defendant, James Snare, and noted that the defendant appeared to be intoxicated. 

The officer conducted a criminal history check and discovered that the defendant had a revoked driver’s license. Officer Pinnell informed the defendant that he was going to be arrested, prompting him to remove a handgun from his waistband and place it on the passenger seat. 

Officer Pinnell drew his service weapon and ordered the defendant to exit the vehicle. 

The defendant was brought to the officer’s patrol car and, after a brief struggle, secured in the backseat. 

Officers conducted a search of the defendant’s vehicle, resulting in the seizure of a Taurus, model PT 22 pistol, a CMMG, 223-5.56mm rifle, and a Colt Trooper MK III revolver. 

The rifle had a thirty round magazine affixed to it. All three firearms were loaded. 

The defendant was transported to the Carthage Jail. 

The defendant had been previously convicted of first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and unlawful use of a weapon in the State of Missouri. 

Snare pleaded guilty April 14, 2014 in Jasper County Circuit Court  to felony charges of first degree assault, second degree assault, and unlawful use of a weapon. Judge Gayle Crane sentenced him to 10 years, seven years, and four years on those charges to run concurrently, The sentences were suspended and Snare was placed on supervised probation for five years.