Lincoln Man Sentenced for Possession of Ammo and Firearm

United States Attorney Susan Lehr announced that Jared Mutchie, age 35, of Lincoln, Nebraska, was sentenced September 19, 2024, in federal court in Lincoln for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. United States District Judge Susan M. Bazis sentenced Mutchie to 96 months' imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system. After Mutchie's release from prison, he will begin a 3-year term of supervised release.

In March 2024, investigators with the Lincoln Police Department were conducting surveillance at a gas station on O Street. While there, investigators observed a black 2006 Pontiac with no license plates enter the parking lot. A male passenger was visible in the car, and investigators were able to identify him as Jared Mutchie. Investigators confirmed that Mutchie had an active felony arrest warrant for possession of a controlled substance and called for a marked cruiser to assist in contacting and taking Mutchie into custody. As the marked police cruiser drove past, Mutchie immediately exited the front passenger seat of the car and ran to the driver side of the vehicle. He and the driver switched seats and Mutchie began to drive the vehicle out of the parking lot, entering O Street with the cruiser behind him. The cruiser initiated emergency lights and sirens, but Mutchie failed to yield, fleeing eastbound at a high rate of speed. Speeds in the pursuit reached over 85mph. LPD called off the pursuit about the same time Mutchie lost control of the vehicle, left the roadway, and collided with a retaining wall at the intersection of 44th and O Streets.

Mutchie exited the driver seat of the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot, but officers were able to locate him a short distance from the vehicle. He ignored commands to get on the ground and was reaching into his pockets and removing items. Officers were able to physically force Mutchie to the ground and take him into custody. They located a baggie of cocaine in his pocket at the time of his arrest.

A search of the vehicle, which had been reported as stolen in February 2024, was conducted. Officers located about 4.5 grams of meth in the center cup holder, a zippered bag on the passenger floor of the vehicle which contained 119 .22 caliber bullets and a .22 caliber magazine with seven bullets.

Upon finding the bullets, officers went back and began searching for a gun in the area around Mutchie's physical arrest. Approximately twenty feet from where Mutchie was physically seized, law enforcement located a Smith and Wesson 22 Long Rifle handgun. The gun was loaded with a magazine containing 11 bullets.

A review of Mutchie's criminal history revealed felony convictions which resulted in prison sentences of at least a year.

In imposing the sentence, Judge Bazis emphasized the need to protect the public from Mutchie, who has a lengthy criminal history.

This case was brought as part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive national strategy that creates local partnerships with law enforcement agencies to effectively enforce existing gun laws. It provides more options to prosecutors, allowing them to utilize local, state, and federal laws to ensure that criminals who commit gun crime face tough sentences. PSN gives each federal district the flexibility it needs to focus on individual challenges that a specific community faces.

This case was investigated by the Lincoln Police Department.