Facebook post, starter pistol lead to weapons charges for Scott City man

SCOTT CITY, Mo. — Scott City Police officers say a man with an active warrant posted a photo to Facebook of him pointing a weapon at a patrol vehicle.

When police arrived, they charged the man with a gun crime, even though the weapon he displayed on social media was a starter pistol. It is illegal for a felon to own a starter pistol.

Corey Stoffregen, 36, of Scott City was charged with the Class E felony of unlawful possession of a firearm.

According to a probable-cause statement issued by a Scott City sergeant, the officer received an image Saturday, June 15 of Stoffregen’s Facebook post.

“In the caption above the photo, it stated ‘I spy …. Scott County (laughing emoji) the gun is not real folks unfortunately so calm down,’” the probable-cause statement reported. The officer discovered that Stoffegen had been convicted of a felony crime, so he was not allowed to possess a firearm. He also had an arrest warrant for violating an order of protection, the probable-cause stated.

Stoffregen told police the gun wasn’t real.

“However, it was a starter pistol (blank pistol). Stoffregen advised me the pistol was in his room” where “there was a black revolver pistol laying on the dresser.”

Stoffregen told the officer he was not aware he couldn’t possess a starter pistol.

Stoffregen is in jail with a $7,500 cash only bond.