By MICHELLE FRIEDRICH
Staff Writer
CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- A Greenville, Mo., man awaiting trial for murdering his landlord recently pleaded guilty in federal court to illegal possessing a firearm.
Joshua Lawrence Oldham pleaded guilty April 5 to the felony of being a felon in possession of a firearm before U.S. District Judge Stephen Limbaugh Jr., according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Keith Sorrell.
As part of the plea agreement, signed by Sorrell, Oldham and his attorney, Michael Skrien, Oldham admitted to the elements of the offense of illegally possessing a firearm.
The agreed-upon facts of the case say on Nov. 4, Oldham had been convicted of the felonies of involuntary manslaughter, second-degree assault and leaving the scene of an accident in June 2001 in Jefferson County and the felony of second-degree burglary in October 2001 in Washington County.
On Nov. 4, Wayne County officers reportedly were investigating the shooting death of of Marshall Lucas "Luke" Helm.
The 38-year-old Silva, Mo., man, according to earlier reports, allegedly was shot three times by Oldham while outside his parents' home on Highway E, about 6 1/2 miles east of Business 67.
Relatives reported to deputies the family was having a barbecue during which Oldham stopped by to pay Helm money he owed.
A physical altercation reportedly then ensued between Oldham and Helm, and Oldham subsequently got away and ran to his vehicle.
While inside his 1998 Nissan Altima, Oldham allegedly fired shots through its driver-side window, striking Helm, who fell to the ground. Oldham then fled the scene.
"As part of the investigation, officers decided to apply for a search warrant to search" Oldham's home, according to the plea agreement.
The warrant reportedly was executed on Nov. 7.
During their search, the officers found a SKS rifle on a bed and a quantity of ammunition for that firearm, the plea agreement further said.
"Officers located other witnesses who stated that they had seen Oldham in possession of the SKS rifle," the plea agreement said.
With his plea, Oldham admitted to possessing the firearm, which was manufactured in China.
As part of his plea, Oldham agreed to forfeit all items seized by law enforcement, including the SKS rifle.
After accepting Oldham's plea, Sorrell said, Limbaugh set sentencing for 2:20 p.m. July 3.
At that time, Oldham faces not more than 10 years in federal prison, followed by up to a three-year period of supervised release.
Oldham, who is being held without bond, is to appear May 22 in Wayne County before Circuit Judge Kelly Parker for arraignment on the Class A felony of first-degree murder, the unclassified felony of armed criminal action and the Class C felony of unlawful possession of a firearm in connection to the shooting death Helm.