St. Louis County resident Justin L. Collins was sentenced yesterday to a 12-year prison term following his guilty plea for firearms possession as a convicted felon, particularly in the context of a violent attack on his former girlfriend. According to information obtained from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Missouri, 31-year-old Collins initially deprived his then-girlfriend of her phone and money, threatening her with a handgun, and subsequently allowed his sister and another woman to assault her.
Records indicate that the altercation occurred on July 11, 2022, when Collins escalated the situation to physical violence. After the assault, St. Louis County Police apprehended Collins following a brief attempt to flee, discovering a 9mm handgun in plain view inside his vehicle, which violated his prohibited status. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Catherine Hoag.
Collins' sentencing serves a dual purpose: it punishes the individual and supports the broader criminal justice initiative, Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). Revitalized on May 26, 2021, PSN involves a coalition of law enforcement agencies and community organizations. The program's goal is to reduce violent crime and gun violence, fostering safer neighborhoods.
