Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA –Senior U.S. District Court Judge Roger Vinson sentenced Joshua Sipe, 30, of Newberry, Florida, to a mandatory minimum term of 15 years as an Armed Career Criminal in federal court in Gainesville yesterday. The sentence imposed by the court was  announced by Pamela C. Marsh, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

On June 23, 2013, Sipe burglarized Cash Munny Pawn, in Chiefland, Florida, by breaking through the roof of the business and stealing 17 firearms. Through an investigation conducted by agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Gilchrist County Sheriff’s Office, and the Chiefland Police Department, Sipe and others were arrested.  Sipe entered a guilty plea to the theft of the firearms and possession of the firearms by a felon.  On the possession count, Sipe qualified as an Armed Career Criminal due to his criminal history and received the mandatory 15 year minimum.  Sipe also received a concurrent sentence of five years for the theft.

U.S. Attorney Marsh praised the work of the law enforcement agencies whose investigation led to the convictions in this case.

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