For Immediate Release
February 27, 2025
Jackson County Prosecutor Melesa Johnson today announced a Jackson County jury has found a Kansas City man guilty of multiple felonies stemming from a confrontation with officers last year.
Otis W. Brown was convicted of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm—Dangerous Felon, Property Damage, and Interference with Legal Process. The jury also found that the defendant had two prior felonies, one of which was for a dangerous felony, increasing the range of punishment to ten to thirty years or life imprisonment.
The defendant was previously identified as a target for SAVE KC, a focused deterrence program that targets those involved in or at risk-of becoming involved in violent crime. SAVE KC offers resources and support for participants to leave behind a life of crime, while making it clear that continued participation in crime will result in swift and certain consequences.
“SAVE KC gives those involved in violence a choice: either accept help and give up your life of crime, or face the full weight of prosecution,” said Prosecutor Johnson. “Unfortunately, the defendant in this case chose to continue participating in criminal behavior, despite SAVE KC offering valuable services and clear warnings about the consequences.”
According to court records, Kansas City police approached the defendant on Sept. 25, 2024. The defendant fled on foot, reaching into his waist band. Officers caught the defendant and took him into custody. A firearm was found in the pathway where the defendant had run from police. When officers later attempted to obtain a court-ordered DNA sample to determine whether the firearm was his, the defendant refused to comply and flipped chairs and a table inside the interview room, causing damage to the walls.
Assistant Prosecuting Attorneys Joel Ritchie and Claire Wyatt prosecuted the case on behalf of the state of Missouri.
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Media Contact:
Jazzlyn Johnson
Director of Communications
Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office
415 E 12th Street
Kansas City, MO - 64106
(816) 929-1289
jazzlyn.johnson@jacksongov.org
https://www.jacksoncountyprosecutor.com