Sarasota Felon Sentenced To 15 Years In Prison For Possessing A Firearm And Drugs For Sale

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has sentenced Lonzine Adams (58, Sarasota) to 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and for possessing with the intent to distribute crack cocaine. The Court also ordered him to forfeit the firearm and ammunition. Adams pleaded guilty on July 15, 2014.

According to court documents, a confidential informant purchased drugs from Adams on two occasions at his store in Sarasota. Law enforcement officers then obtained a search warrant for “Bud’s Store” and found Adams in possession of a revolver and ammunition. Officers also found crack cocaine, which was intended for sale, and $12,000 in cash, which were the proceeds of Adams’s drug sales.

Adams had multiple prior felonies, including at least four convictions related to the sale of cocaine. As a convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sarasota Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Peresie.

This 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 violence in our communities.