Tampa, Florida - U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has sentenced Ronald Stephenson (44, Palmetto) to 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Due to his multiple prior convictions for violent felony or serious drug offenses, he qualified for an increased penalty as an Armed Career Criminal. The Court also ordered him to forfeit a firearm traceable to the offense.
Stephenson pleaded guilty on Feb. 10, 2017.
According to court documents, in May 2016, law enforcement officers in Palmetto arrested Stephenson after he assaulted his live-in girlfriend and threatened to kill her. The officers located and seized a loaded.22 caliber revolver inside Stephenson’s residence; he later admitted that he possessed the firearm and had hidden it under a bedroom mattress.
At the time of the offense, Stephenson was a convicted felon on state probation for attempted first-degree murder. As a result, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Lisa M. Thelwell.
This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods" Program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy. Acting United States Attorney Muldrow, along with Daryl R. McCray, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, are 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 on reducing violent crime in communities.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
