Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Fort Myers, Florida – United States District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell has sentenced Oliver Rocher (33, Fort Myers) to 15 years and 10 months in federal prison for firearms and drug-related offenses. The court also ordered Rocher to forfeit $4,002 in drug proceeds.

 

Rocher had pleaded guilty in September 2018.

 

According to court records, Rocher worked as a pimp and drug dealer out of hotels and motels in Fort Myers during 2017. Women who worked as prostitutes for Rocher provided him with all of the cash they earned. In return, Rocher provided the women with food, clothing, and drugs. When he was arrested at a local motel in August 2017, Rocher had a loaded firearm, crack cocaine, and a significant amount of heroin laced with fentanyl in his possession. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is often added to heroin to increase its potency. 

 

At the time of his arrest, Rocher had a lengthy criminal history dating back to 2004, including previous convictions for drug and firearm possession, as well as burglary. As a previously convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

 

This case was investigated by Lee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael V. Leeman.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them.

 

As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.