Clearwater Man Sentenced To 15 Years In Federal Prison For Possession Of A Firearm

Tampa, FL - United States District Court Judge Elizabeth A. Kovachevich today sentenced Martez Jamar Cook (28, Clearwater) to 15 years in prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Cook pleaded guilty on March 4, 2013.

According to the criminal indictment and testimony in court, on April 26, 2012, Cook sold a Chinese made Norinco SKS 7.62 rifle, along with numerous rounds of 7.62 ammunition, to an undercover police officer in Clearwater. Included in the sale were an extended capacity magazine and ammunition.

This case was investigated by agents of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, with the assistance of the Largo Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay L. Hoffer.

It 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 Robert E. O’Neill, along with Julie Torres, 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.