A Sedalia man was recently indicted by a federal grand jury for the alleged illegal possession of narcotics and several firearms with serial numbers removed recently in Pettis County.
According to a news release, 26-year-old Timothy Cota, Jr. was charged in a three-count indictment returned by a federal grand jury in Jefferson City on October 24. The federal indictment replaces a criminal complaint that was filed against Cota on October 1.
Cota was originally charged with four felonies after authorities found methamphetamine, marijuana, drug paraphernalia and four firearms- each having serial numbers removed- during a “no knock” search of his residence on September 4. Officers also found a cell phone which contained numerous images and videos of Cota displaying the firearms, discharging the firearms, displaying firearms with drugs, and weighing methamphetamine and marijuana on a digital scale.
Cota reportedly has prior felony convictions, and under federal law, it is illegal for anyone who has been convicted of a felony to be in possession of any firearm or ammunition.
This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lawrence E. Miller, and was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sedalia Police Department.