Lansing Man Sentenced to 10 Years for Illegal Gun Possession

GRAND RAPIDS, MICHIGAN - U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Michigan Mark Totten today announced that Tyrone Lekese Hooper, 25, of Lansing, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison. Hooper pled guilty to one count of felon in possession of firearms and one count of felon in possession of ammunition.

"Mr. Hooper is a serial offender who has brazenly defied the law," said U.S. Attorney Mark Totten. "He has been caught with guns in his possession multiple times despite being a felon and prohibited from having them. Furthermore, his lawlessness put the lives of two young children in danger. My office will continue our efforts to keep guns out of the hands of felons, focused on those who drive violence in our communities."

In June 2022, a two-year-old child found a gun in Hooper's apartment and accidentally shot himself in the arm. Police found the gun used by the child, and two additional guns, in Hooper's car. Five months later, in November 2022, a different two-year-old child found a different gun in Hooper's apartment and accidentally shot himself. Both children survived.

In addition, police pulled over Hooper's car in February 2023 and, after arresting him on an open warrant, found a pistol in the glove compartment and a pistol with a drum magazine (pictured above) in Hooper's backpack in the backseat. Three months later, police pulled over Hooper's car and found another gun in the glove compartment.

"I applaud U.S. Attorney Mark Totten and his team for their diligence in addressing these criminals who believe they can live a criminal life with no consequences," said Lansing Police Chief Ellery Sosebee. "This is just one of many examples that hopefully show that criminals will be held accountable, and that Lansing is working hard with our federal partners to make the city a safer place."

"It is deeply troubling to see the flagrant disregard for the law exhibited by habitual firearms offender Tyrone Hooper," said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI in Michigan. "The consequences of such recklessness are evident in the tragic incidents where two young children have suffered due to the irresponsible actions of an individual who should not have possessed a firearm in the first place. I want to thank the East Lansing Police Department for their outstanding partnership. This investigation highlights the critical importance of law enforcement working together to enforce firearms regulations to prevent such senseless tragedies from recurring in our community."

This case was investigated by the Lansing Police Department, the East Lansing Police Department, the Michigan State University Police Department, the Michigan State Police, and the FBI, and prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Pulda.

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