Orlando, FL - U.S. District Judge G. Kendall Sharp sentenced Tony Bernard Mathis (37, Orlando) today to 188 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Mathis pleaded guilty to the charge on July 24, 2012.

According to court documents, on February 9, 2012, a search warrant was executed at an apartment in Orlando, where law enforcement recovered a .22 caliber handgun along with crack cocaine and a scale. Mathis told law enforcement that he had the firearm for four years and that he was “an ounce” level cocaine dealer. Mathis said he kept the gun and the cocaine together.

Mathis has seven prior felony convictions in the State of Florida, including multiple convictions for delivery of cocaine and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. These prior convictions qualified Mathis as an Armed Career Criminal. As a previously convicted felon, Mathis is prohibited from possessing either firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill, along with Delano Reid, Acting Special Agent in Charge, ATF Tampa Field Division, is coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

This case was investigated by ATF and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher LaForgia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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