Citrus County Convicted Felon Sentenced To Federal Prison For Possessing Multiple Firearms

Ocala, Florida –Senior United States District Judge John Antoon II has sentenced Timothy Roberts (28, Hernando) to six years and five months in federal prison for possession of an unregistered National Firearms Act (NFA) weapon (a short-barreled shotgun) and two counts of possession of a firearm affecting commerce by a convicted felon. Roberts pleaded guilty to the offenses on July 28, 2023.

According to court documents, on August 7, 2022, the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office stopped Roberts while he was driving a stolen vehicle. When deputies discovered a sawed-off shotgun on the back seat, Roberts admitted that he had tried to cover it with a backpack as he was being pulled over. This illegally modified shotgun was not registered to Roberts in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, as required under federal law.

Approximately three weeks later, Roberts was again stopped by Citrus County deputies for multiple traffic infractions. A subsequent search of his backpack revealed methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and two handguns. When questioned, Roberts claimed he had planned to sell the firearms. Roberts, who has four prior felony grand theft convictions in state court, is prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.

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.