August 22 – A Jasper County judge this week sentenced a Carthage man to three years in prison for unlawful use of a firearm.

Luis D. Chanas-Gomez, 24, pleaded guilty to the charges Monday in Jasper County Superior Court in a plea agreement that called for a three-year prison sentence. Judge Gayle Crane approved the plea agreement.

Chanas-Gomez was arrested on October 24 after a report of multiple gunshots in the 100 block of East Central Avenue in Carthage. Police found several spent shell casings near the front door and a witness told them Chanas-Gomez was drunk and began shooting.

According to the statement, police found the gun in a laundry basket, where a witness had placed it after taking it from the suspect.

An affidavit shows the suspect has been arrested multiple times before in California, Colorado and Carthage for driving under the influence and obstructing and assaulting police officers.

Jeff Lehr is a reporter for The Joplin Globe.