Carthage man pleads guilty after police find handgun, drugs during traffic stop
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A Carthage, Missouri, man has pleaded guilty to illegally possessing a firearm after police discovered a gun and suspected drugs during a traffic stop.
26-year-old Skylar Wyrick entered his guilty plea Tuesday in federal court in Springfield.
The case stems from an Oct. 3, 2025, traffic stop when officers pulled Wyrick over for failing to display a front license plate.
During the stop, officers discovered drug paraphernalia, a gun magazine, and ammunition on Wyrick. A subsequent search of his vehicle uncovered additional drug paraphernalia, suspected illegal narcotics, and a KelTec P-32 handgun.
Wyrick was prohibited from possessing firearms because of previous felony convictions for second-degree robbery and first-degree tampering with a motor vehicle.
His federal charge was part of Operation Spring Cleaning, a coordinated law enforcement crackdown targeting violent crime across southwest Missouri.
Wyrick faces up to 15 years in federal prison without parole and a fine of up to $250,000.
A sentencing date has not been scheduled.
