Duval County Man Sentenced To 57 Months In Federal Prison On Firearms Charge

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis today sentenced Derrick Burney (40, Jacksonville) to 57 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Burney pleaded guilty on March 20, 2018.

According to court documents, on October 24 and 25, 2017, a confidential source acting at the direction of law enforcement made purchases of marijuana from Burney at a residence in Jacksonville. On October 27, 2017, as federal agents executed a search warrant at that residence, agents encountered Burney and others in the house. In the living room area, agents located a .38 revolver loaded with six bullets and a SKS Norinco rifle with a large capacity magazine that contained 30 bullets. Federal agents also located marijuana and drug paraphernalia used in the sale of narcotics, along with additional ammunition, throughout the residence. Additional investigation by law enforcement revealed that Burney was a multi-time convicted felon and therefore was prohibited under federal law from possessing a firearm or ammunition.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In October 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to develop districtwide crime reduction strategies, incorporating the lessons learned since the program’s inception in 2001. 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.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Violent Crime Task Force and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives Jacksonville Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.