Press Release

Bolivar, Missouri Man Sentenced to 60 Months for Being a Felon in Possession of a Firearm

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – A Bolivar, Mo. man was sentenced in federal court today for his illegal possession of multiple firearms, including two AR-15 type rifles, that held 30-round and 60-round extended magazines.

Russell Dean Taylor, Jr., 47, was sentenced to five years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Megan Blair Benton for 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.

On April 28, 2024, detectives with the Polk County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office received a report of Taylor possessing an AR-15 styled rifle during an argument at his residence. Polk County deputies were aware Taylor was a previously convicted felon and would be prohibited by law from possessing a firearm.

Taylor was arrested by Polk County Sheriff’s deputies when he came to the sheriff’s department for an unrelated incident. Following the execution of a search warrant, law enforcement located a CD Defense, AR12A, 12-gauge shotgun, a Diamondback, AR-style, 5.6mm caliber semi-automatic rifle, and a Bushmaster, AR-15 style, 5.6mm caliber semi-automatic rifle. Law enforcement noted that the Diamondback, AR-15 style rifle, was loaded with a 30-round extended magazine, and the Bushmaster, AR-15 style rifle, was loaded with a 60-round extended magazine. Each rifle had a round of ammunition in the chamber. Taylor was sentenced to 60 months’ imprisonment with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, followed by three years of post-release supervision, payment of a $75,000 fine, and payment of a $100 Special Assessment as required by law.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Patrick Carney. It was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Polk County, Missouri Sheriff’s Office.

Operation Take Back America

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.