JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Missouri man pleaded guilty in federal court to drug and gun charges arising out of a May 2025 search warrant, during which two sheriff's deputies were injured.
James Joseph Elsea, 62, Marshall, pleaded guilty before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, discharging and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possessing firearms after a prior felony conviction, according to the United State's Attorney/
In a plea agreement filed with the court after the hearing, Elsea admitted that while Pettis County Sheriff’s Office deputies were executing a no-knock search warrant at his home on May 2, 2025, Elsea fired shots from inside the residence, hitting and injuring two deputies.
Approximately nine minutes after the shots were fired, Elsea made a 911 call reporting that he believed he had shot someone. Later, after the officers arrested Elsea and made entry into his residence, they found evidence that Elsea had discarded methamphetamine down the toilet, leaving loose methamphetamine on the bathroom floor, around and underneath the toilet, on the toilet seat, and in the toilet bowl. Firearms were also found within the home.
According to a federal affidavit, the SWAT team arrived at the rural property around 5:45 a.m. Officers used a saw to cut into the reinforced front door of the house.
The document shows Elsea fired four gunshots at the front door when he heard the noise. Elsea then grabbed a phone and called 911 to report he shot someone according to the affidavit. The 911 operator informed Elsea that police were at his door.
One of the deputies was shot above the knee. The bullet shattered his femur. A bullet hit another deputy in the lower leg. Both deputies were treated at hospitals and released.
Officers arrested Elsea as he tried to climb out a window of the house.
Elsea has prior felony convictions and is not permitted to possess a gun.
The document shows Elsea fired four gunshots at the front door when he heard the noise. Elsea then grabbed a phone and called 911 to report he shot someone according to the affidavit. The 911 operator informed Elsea that police were at his door.
Under federal statutes, Elsea is subject to a sentence of up to 20 years for possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and up to 15 years for his possession of a firearm after a prior felony conviction. He is also subject to a sentence of not less than 10 years for possession and discharge of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, which must be consecutive to any other sentence imposed in the case. These maximum sentences are prescribed by Congress and provided here for informational purposes, but Elsea’s ultimate sentence will be determined by the court based on advisory sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the United States Probation Office.