DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Middle District of Florida

For Immediate Release

Monday, August 25, 2014
A. Lee Bentley, III
, United States Attorney
Contact: William Daniels

Multi-Convicted Felon Sentenced to Over 11 Years in Prison for Possession of an AK-47 Assault Rifle

Orlando, FL –U.S. District Judge Carlos E. Mendoza today sentenced Tyruss Lydell Lomax (29, Sanford) to 11 years and 8 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The Court also ordered Lomax to forfeit the Century International Arms AK-47 rifle used in the crime. Lomax pleaded guilty on May 14, 2014.

According to court documents, on May 31, 2012, Lomax walked to the rear passenger door of a parked 2006 Dodge Charger and removed an AK-47 assault rifle. He then ran towards the rear of a home in Sanford, Florida and hid. Law enforcement officers on the scene called for Lomax to come out of the home’s backyard, but he refused. Lomax eventually surrendered to officers and was taken into custody. The officers then found the AK-47 and two 30-round magazines near Lomax’s hiding spot. Prior to possessing the rifle, Lomax had been convicted of numerous felonies, including the sale of cocaine and resisting an officer with violence. He was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives and the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph M. Schuster.

This is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy. United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III, along with Trevor Velinor, Acting Special Agent in Charge, ATF, is coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. It is also a part of ATF’s Frontline Strategy to reduce violent crime in communities.

Tampa Field Division