Marion County Man With 28 Felony Convictions Found Guilty Of Federal Firearm Charge

Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge John Antoon II today found Charlie Lee Wright, Jr. (52, Summerfield) guilty of possession of a firearm affecting commerce by a convicted felon, following a bench trial. Because of his prior criminal record, Wright faces a penalty of at least 15 years, and up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 20, 2020. 

Wright was indicted by a federal grand jury on July 17, 2019.

According to the evidence presented at trial, Wright has 28 prior felony convictions in Florida. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

On January 16, 2019, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at Wright’s Summerfield residence pursuant to an investigation into missing jewelry. During the search, detectives located five firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition inside the home, and inside a car registered in Wright’s name. Wright subsequently admitted to federal investigators that he had handled two of the recovered firearms. 

This case was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.

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.