SPRINGFIELD, MO. — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Missouri, Western), published as received.

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Carthage, Mo., man pleaded guilty in federal court today for his illegal possession of a firearm.

Skylar Wyrick, 36, pleaded guilty before U.S. Chief Magistrate Judge Willie J. Epps, Jr., to one count of being a felon illegally in possession of a firearm.  This defendant was charged as a part of Operation Spring Cleaning, that was coordinated by the United States Attorney’s Office and law enforcement across Southwest Missouri.

Wyrick pleaded guilty to the sole count of the indictment that charged him with illegal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. On Oct. 3, 2025, Wyrick was contacted by law enforcement during a traffic stop for failing to display a front license plate. During that contact, Carthage Police Officers found that Wyrick had drug paraphernalia, a gun magazine and ammunition on his person.  Officers then conducted a probable cause search of the vehicle. During that search, officers found additional drug paraphernalia, substances that were recognized as illegal narcotics, and a KelTec, P-32, .32 auto caliber firearm. Wyrick has prior felony convictions for robbery in the 2nd degree and tampering with a motor vehicle in the 1st degree.  Both convictions carried with them sentences that exceeded one year of imprisonment, making Wyrick a person who was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

Under federal statutes, Wyrick is subject to sentences of up to 15 years in federal prison without parole and a maximum fine of $250,000 for count one, felon in possession of a firearm. The maximum statutory sentence is prescribed by Congress and is provided here for informational purposes, as the sentencing of the defendant will be determined by the court based on the 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.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Springfield Missouri Police Department, and the Carthage, Missouri Police Department.

Project Safe Neighborhoods

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.