Defendant who lied about identity sentenced to prison

A man who identified himself as his brother when he was arrested last year in Leavenworth has been sentenced to 16 months in prison for obstruction and firearms charges.

Lee A. Siggers, 27, St. Joseph, Mo., was sentenced Friday in Leavenworth County District Court. When Siggers was arrested in September, he provided the name “Jemon Brown” to officials at the Leavenworth County Jail. He also provided a birth date and Social Security number for Brown. And he signed documents as Brown, according to County Attorney Todd Thompson.

Siggers even identified himself as Brown to a judge. Thompson said it was at least two weeks before authorities learned Siggers’ real identity.

Last month, Siggers pleaded no contest to criminal possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and obstruction of an official duty.

He was arrested Sept. 29 after a man matching his description reportedly waived a gun around at a Leavenworth bar. Police stopped Siggers’ vehicle. A loaded handgun was found behind his seat, according to Thompson.

Officials at the jail realized Siggers was not Brown after they were contacted by a Missouri parole officer. The parole officer informed jail officials the real Brown was on parole and local authorities most likely had Siggers in custody.

Jail staff retrieved documents and pictures that detailed the differences between the two men, according to Thompson.

During Friday’s sentencing, defense attorney Benjamin Casad asked District Judge Gunnar Sundby to give serious consideration to probation.

Casad said his client may end up receiving a prison sentence in Missouri for another case.

The attorney said Siggers has some mental health issues and one of the reasons probation was being requested was so the defendant could get back on track.

Casad said his client already had spent about 140 days in jail.

“He’s had a significant sanction in this matter already,” Casad said.

The attorney asked for probation or for the sentences for the two charges to run concurrent.

Assistant County Attorney Michael Jones asked for the defendant to receive consecutive sentences.

When given the opportunity to speak, Siggers asked for probation but said he would understand if he was sentenced to prison.

“I’m tired of being locked up,” he said.

District Judge Gunnar Sundby noted that Siggers was on probation at the time the crimes occurred. The judge said he didn’t think probation was working.

He said the sentences for the two charges ordinarily would be “presumptive probation” but this was overcome by the fact the defendant already was on probation when he committed the crimes.

Siggers was sentenced to 10 months in prison for the firearms charge and six months for the obstruction charge. The sentences will run consecutive to each other.