Sentencing set for Joplin man on weapons charge

A 10 a.m. October 14 sentencing is scheduled in U.S. District Court in Springfield for Christopher Mark Vaughn, 49, Joplin, who pleaded guilty March 31 to being a felon in possession of a firearm. 

Vaughn's crimes were detailed in a detention motion filed 

On July 10, 2024, Captain William Davis of the Joplin, Missouri, Police Department, was in the area of 7th and Murphy Avenue, in Joplin, Jasper County, Missouri within the Western District of Missouri, when a call was received of a male who was unconscious out behind the wheel of a car at a local convenience store. 

Captain Davis responded and was first on scene. Captain Davis observed a white Toyota four door passenger car parked in front of the business. Captain Davis observed the vehicle was parked across a parking spot and was not pulled all the way up to the curb/sidewalk. Captain Davis noted there was an adult male in the driver seat, who appeared to be unconscious, and there were no other occupants in vehicle. 

Captain Davis approached the driver side door and began knocking on vehicle’s window. Despite his efforts to awaken the driver, the individual did not awaken. As a result, Captain Davis continued knocking and eventually opened the door to the car believing that the driver he could be in distress or overdosing. 

As the vehicle door was opened, the driver awoke but appeared disoriented. Captain Davis also noted that the vehicle was running, and the inside of the car was extremely hot as if the interior heater had been running. 

At that point another officer arrived at the scene. Captain Davis observed the other officer escort the suspect, who was later positively identified as CHRISTOPHER MARK VAUGHN (VAUGHN) to the rear of the car. 

 At that point, Captain Davis looked into the vehicle from outside the vehicle door and he could see a briefcase type bag in the front passenger seat in plain view. The bag was unzipped allowing Captain Davis could see several folders and the handle of a handgun that was laying between folders within the unzipped bag. 

Caption Davis readily recognized this item as a firearm and notified other officers at the scene that there was a firearm in the vehicle. Captain Davis noted that everything he was observing was clearly visible in plain view. Another officer performed Standard Field Sobriety Tests (“SFST”) on VAUGHN and from theirs and Captain Davis’ observations, VAUGHN appeared to be under the influence as he had a hard time with performing basic body functions, following directions, performing tests, and even speaking coherently. 

While another officer was conducting the SFST tests with VAUGHN, officers received information from dispatch that VAUGHN was on probation/parole for narcotics offenses and unlawful possession of a firearm, and he had several warrants out for his arrest. 

It was at this point that law enforcement became aware that VAUGHN was prohibited from possessing a firearm. At this point VAUGHN was placed under arrest. 

While searching his person, Captain Davis observed another officer locate a clear plastic baggie in a bottom cargo pocket in VAUGHN’S shorts. Inside the clear plastic baggie was a large crystal substance consistent with illegal narcotics. The substance was field tested. The test revealed that the crystalline substance was positive for methamphetamine. 

Captain Davis also observed another officer remove the firearm from the vehicle and place it on the hood of the car and remove a loaded magazine from the weapon. The firearm found in VAUGHN’S vehicle, sitting in plain view in the front passenger seat, next to where VAUGHN was seated was a Kimber, Ultra Carry II, .45 caliber handgun, bearing serial number “KU263682.” ATF Special Agent (SA) Brian Fox received a description of the firearm seized. SA Fox has received specialized training in the determination of the interstate movement of firearms and ammunition. SA Fox concluded the firearm was not manufactured in the State of Missouri. Therefore, the firearm was transported across a state line at some time during or before VAUGHN’S possession of the firearm. 

Ultimately, law enforcement have determined that VAUGHN has at least three prior felony convictions. VAUGHN was previously convicted of felony offenses that included fraudulent use of a credit card, tampering with a motor vehicle, delivery and distribution of a controlled substance, and unlawful possession of a firearm. Each of these convictions carried with them sentences that exceed one year in the state of Missouri and make VAUGHN a person prohibited from possessing a firearm pursuant to Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(8). 

In addition to the aforementioned facts and overwhelming evidence presented above, it is important to note that VAUGHN previously pled guilty to possessing a firearm before another court and was on supervised release for his previous conviction of delivery of a controlled substance and unlawful possession of a firearm at the time he was contacted by law enforcement in this case. 

Further, associated with VAUGHN’S illegal possession of this firearm, his criminal history demonstrates that he is both a recidivist offender who is also a danger to the community as he has previously been convicted of unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a controlled substance, several convictions for forgery and trafficking in stolen identification cards, as well as tampering with a motor vehicle. 

VAUGHN has amassed a considerable criminal history since 2002 and continuing through to the date of this offense. During that span of time, VAUGHN’S convictions include four felony and five misdemeanor convictions. 

In addition to felony fraudulent use of credit cards, VAUGHN’S felony offenses include tampering with a motor vehicle, delivery of a controlled substance, and unlawful use of a firearm. VAUGHN’S misdemeanor convictions include possession of marijuana, driving while intoxicated, assault, assault on law enforcement, and resisting arrest.