Martin County Convicted Felons Indicted for Possessing Firearms At Jensen Beach Indoor Firing Range

Two Martin County convicted felons have been detained on an indictment, charging them with possessing firearms and ammunition at an indoor firing range in Jensen Beach, Florida.

Wifredo A. Ferrer, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, Carlos A. Canino, Special Agent in Charge, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Office, David Dyess, Chief, Stuart Police (SPD), and William D. Snyder, Sheriff, Martin County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), made the announcement.  

Aldrick James Lott, 30, and John Robert Rucker, Jr., 46, both of Stuart, were charged by indictment with being felons in possession of a firearm on November 7, 2015, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).  In addition, Lott is charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition on December 1, 2015, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 922(g)(1).  Lott faces a maximum statutory sentence of 15 years to life imprisonment.  Rucker faces a maximum statutory penalty of ten years in prison.  A detention hearing was held on December 9, 2015, before Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Frank J. Lynch, Jr.

According to court records and detention hearing testimony, on November 7, 2015, Lott and Rucker, entered a gun shop and indoor shooting range in Jensen Beach, Florida.  During their visit, Lott and Rucker were recorded on video surveillance shooting targets with multiple firearms, including a Glock 30 .45ACP caliber pistol, Smith and Wesson M&P40 .40 caliber pistol, and High-Point 9mm pistol.  The Glock and Smith and Wesson pistols were left at the store for cleaning, examined by law enforcement and determined to have been stolen.

On December 1, 2015, federal and local law enforcement agencies executed three search warrants, on residences connected to Lott and Rucker.   Law enforcement recovered the High-Point 9mm pistol, a second firearm, and various rounds of ammunition from one home connected to Lott.  From a second residence connected to Lott, officers recovered a magazine and ammunition matching the Smith and Wesson M&P40 .40 caliber pistol.  From a residence connected to Rucker, officers recovered narcotics.  

Mr. Ferrer commended the investigative efforts of ATF, Stuart Police Department, Martin County Sheriff’s Office, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.  This case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Carmen Lineberger.

An indictment is only an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

A copy of this press release may be found on the website of the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida at www.usdoj.gov/usao/fls. Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.