A Hutchinson man with a felony conviction record including involuntary manslaughter has been sentenced to eight years in federal prison for possessing a firearm, U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom said today.

Joshua W. Whitehurst, 35, Hutchinson was sentenced Monday to 96 months in federal prison. Whitehurst pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful possession of a firearm after a felony conviction. He unlawfully possessed a Highpoint 9 mm handgun when he was arrested Jan. 3, 2012, in Harvey County.

“Kansas was third in the nation last year for the number of federal firearms prosecutions,” Grissom said. “The fight against gun violence is a top priority.”

Whitehurst was prohibited by federal law from possessing a firearm because of prior felony convictions, including a 2003 conviction in Harvey County District Court on a charge of involuntary manslaughter.