Manatee County Probationer Sentenced to More Than Six Years for Possessing a Firearm

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington today sentenced Pedro Garcia (34, Manatee County) to six years and six months in federal prison for knowingly possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The Court also ordered him to forfeit the firearm and ammunition involved in the offense.

Garcia was found guilty on November 2, 2016.

According to court documents, on November 9, 2015, various law enforcement authorities conducted a compliance search relating to a state conviction at Garcia’s residence, pursuant to the terms of Garcia’s probation. During the search, officers found a loaded Ruger, 9mm pistol, various types of 9mm and .45 caliber ammunition, and drug paraphernalia. As a convicted felon, Garcia is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Florida Department of Corrections Probation & Parole Field Service Office, and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kaitlin R. O’Donnell.

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.