Jacksonville Man Sentenced To Five Years In Federal Prison For Firearms Offense

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger has sentenced Melvin Charles Chapman (63, Jacksonville) to five years in federal prison for possessing firearms as a convicted felon. Chapman had pleaded guilty on April 26, 2018.

According to court documents, on November 16, 2017, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office SWAT team executed a search warrant at Chapman’s home in Jacksonville. During the search, nine firearms were found, as well as numerous rounds of ammunition and illegal drugs. At the time, Chapman had multiple felony convictions and therefore was prohibited from possessing firearms 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 was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Ashley Washington.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In October 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to develop districtwide crime reduction strategies, incorporating the lessons learned since the program’s inception in 2001. 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.