Convicted Felon Sentenced To Seven Years For Possessing A Firearm

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge James D. Whittemore has sentenced Gabriel Leon-Torres (Tampa, 33) to seven years in federal prison for possessing firearms as a convicted felon. He pleaded guilty on August 13, 2015.

According to court documents, between February and April 2015, Leon-Torres sold two firearms and a variety of illegal narcotics, including crack cocaine, to a confidential informant. A search warrant executed at his residence revealed, among other items, a stolen Miami-Dade police ballistic vest, crack cocaine, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, and a variety of prescription narcotics.  Leon-Torres has multiple prior felony convictions and therefore is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Jones.

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 A. Lee Bentley, III, along with Regina Lombardo, 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. It is also a part of ATF’s Frontline strategy to reduce violent crime and improve the quality of life where law enforcement efforts are focused.