Jacksonville Man Convicted Of Illegal Possession Of A Dozen Firearms And Crack Cocaine

Jacksonville, Florida – United States District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has found Michael Holmes (51, Jacksonville) guilty of possessing multiple firearms as a convicted felon and possessing with the intent to distribute cocaine and crack cocaine. He faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison for the firearms offense, and up to 20 years’ imprisonment for each of the two drug counts. Holmes elected to waive his right to a jury trial and the case proceeded directly before Judge Corrigan. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, on December 29, 2013, detectives from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office questioned Holmes, on the front porch of his home, about complaints related to drug sales occurring at the property. After detecting the smell of marijuana wafting from the front door and Holmes admitting to smoking marijuana, the detectives obtained a warrant to search the home. The detectives recovered 12 firearms, more than 1,100 rounds of ammunition, 20 grams of crack cocaine, 29 grams of powder cocaine, more than 49 grams of marijuana, three digital scales, a bulletproof vest, and approximately $3,600 in cash. Prior to this incident, Holmes had three prior drug felony convictions and was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Cherie Krigsman and Michael J. Coolican.

This is another case prosecuted as 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, are 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 on reducing violent crime in communities.