DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

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

For Immediate Release

Thursday, November 20, 2014
A. Lee Bentley, III
, United States Attorney
Contact: William Daniels

Volusia County Man Sentenced To 15 Years for Being a Felon in Possession of Firearms

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. yesterday sentenced Marco Maurice Heath (36, DeLeon Springs) to 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of firearms. The Court also ordered Heath to forfeit five firearms that he had illegally possessed. Heath was found guilty during a bench trial before Judge Dalton on August 19, 2014. He was originally indicted on May 7, 2014.

According to court documents, on November 8, 2013, a Volusia County Sheriff’s Office investigator saw Heath riding a bicycle with two long guns across the handlebars. Heath disappeared and was found about 20 minutes later riding the bicycle, but without any firearms. Sheriff’s deputies conducted a search of the area, including a nearby house where Heath had spent the night. During the search of the residence, deputies found five firearms in a bedroom, including a shotgun, a semi-automatic assault rifle, and three handguns. Heath admitted that he had stolen the guns that morning in order to sell them for money.

As a previously convicted felon on state offenses, including multiple felony convictions for possession and trafficking of controlled substances, and two armed robberies, Heath was prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by Volusia County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Bruce S. Ambrose.

This is another case prosecuted as 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 Regina Lombardo, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, are 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 on reducing violent crime in communities.

Tampa Field Division