DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

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

For Immediate Release

Thursday, July 21, 2016
A. Lee Bentley, III
, United States Attorney
Contact: William Daniels

Marion County Convicted Felon Sentenced to 15 Years in Prison for Possessing a Firearm and Ammunition

Ocala, Florida – Senior U.S. District Judge Wm. Terrell Hodges today sentenced Kenneth Everette Robinson, Jr. (31, Marion County) to 15 years in federal prison for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The Court also ordered him to forfeit the semi-automatic firearm and ammunition involved in the offense. Robinson previously pleaded guilty on January 19, 2016.

According to court documents, an Ocala police officer stopped Robinson for speeding on March 10, 2015. Robinson, who had no driver’s license, provided conflicting answers about the identity of the vehicle’s owner. He also admitted that he had marijuana inside the vehicle. During a subsequent search, the officer recovered Robinson’s wallet, marijuana, a digital scale, and a loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol. When Robinson denied any knowledge of the firearm, law enforcement obtained a DNA sample from Robinson and submitted the firearm for further testing. Results of the test subsequently confirmed the presence of Robinson’s DNA on the firearm. Robinson later admitted that the loaded firearm belonged to him.

Robinson has nine prior state felony convictions, including multiple convictions for drug distribution, qualifying him for a sentencing enhancement as an Armed Career Criminal. Moreover, as a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the City of Ocala Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.

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 Daryl R. McCrary, 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.

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Tampa Field Division