Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
Ocala Convicted Felon Sentenced to More Than 17 Years in Federal Prison for Possessing Firearms and Drugs
Ocala, FL – Senior United States District Judge Gregory A. Presnell has sentenced Aaron Haa (42, Ocala) to 17 years and 7 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Haa had pleaded guilty on July 13, 2022.
According to information presented in court, on December 9, 2020, Haa was arrested by state authorities after being found with a firearm during a traffic stop. After being released from state custody, Haa was arrested again on January 22, 2021. During that second incident, Haa led police on a high-speed chase on U.S. 441 in Marion County. A deputy had to force Haa’s vehicle to stop when Haa started fleeing into the opposite lanes of traffic. After Haa flipped his vehicle, deputies took him into custody. Deputies found another firearm and 70 grams of methamphetamine in Haa’s vehicle.
Haa has at least 21 prior state felony convictions, including trafficking in a controlled substance, fleeing and eluding, and sale of a controlled substance. Therefore, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Sumter County Sheriff’s Office, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tyrie K. Boyer.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.