Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Ocala, Florida – U.S. District Judge John Antoon today sentenced Daprix Devon Gadson (29, Ocala) to 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as an armed career criminal and for possessing methamphetamine with the intent to distribute it. Gadson had pleaded guilty on September 5, 2019.

According to the plea agreement, on April 16, 2019, Gadson led officers from the Ocala Police Department on a high-speed vehicle chase when they attempted to pull him over for a traffic offense. After fleeing for approximately two miles, Gadson crashed his vehicle into a stop sign, disabling the car. Gadson then fled on foot, but was soon apprehended and arrested. During a subsequent search of Gadson’s vehicle, officers recovered a loaded semi-automatic handgun, 55 rounds of ammunition, and at least 20 grams of methamphetamine. At the time of his arrest, Gadson had 13 prior felony convictions, including 5 prior serious drug offenses. As a previous convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Ocala Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William S. Hamilton.

This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. 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.

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