Jacksonville Man Pleads Guilty To Firearms Theft Conspiracy

Jacksonville, Florida – Jamarius Tillie (28, Jacksonville) today pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting the theft of firearms from federally licensed firearms dealers and conspiring to steal firearms from such dealers. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for the theft charge and up to 5 years in federal prison for the conspiracy charge. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to the plea agreement, members of Tillie’s theft ring stole more than 10 firearms from at least 4 licensed firearms dealers in Jacksonville. While Tillie and others distracted the sales staff in these stores, another member of the ring would sneak behind the counters and steal firearms. Tillie kept some guns for himself, but sold the majority of them to a local drug dealer. For assisting Tillie, members of the theft ring were sometimes paid with crack cocaine. 

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

This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide, crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts.  In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.