Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Ocala, FL – Senior United States District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Malcolm Straughter (35, Ocala) to four years and six months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The Court also ordered Straughter to forfeit the firearm and any associated ammunition. Straughter had pleaded guilty on July 14, 2020.

According to court records, on March 19, 2020, an officer from the Ocala Police Department stopped Straughter in his vehicle for a traffic infraction. After the officer smelled the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle, a search revealed six bags of marijuana, a scale, and a loaded 9mm firearm under Straughter’s seat. The firearm had an altered serial number and was later confirmed as stolen.

traughter has prior state felony convictions for possession of a short-barreled shotgun, possession of cocaine, and robbery with a firearm and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Ocala Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tyrie Boyer.

This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence and enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. For more information on Project Guardian visit www.justice.gov/projectguardian.

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