Jacksonville, Florida - United States Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez announces that a federal jury has found Sean Justin Owens (35, Jacksonville) guilty of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Owens faces a mandatory minimum term of 15 years, and up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for Feb. 26, 2019.
Owens was indicted on Feb. 21, 2018.
According to testimony presented at trial, Owens was found to be in possession of a firearm after officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) investigated his illegally parked vehicle. As the officers approached the parked vehicle, Owens quickly left the car and headed toward a nearby residence. When the officers checked the vehicle tag, it was not associated with any vehicle. As one of the officers tried to obtain the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), he saw a firearm on the front console. Owens’s driver license was inside his vehicle, confirming his identity. In addition, an occupant of the home Owens had entered after leaving the vehicle confirmed that the vehicle belonged to Owens.
At the time of this incident, Owens had multiple prior felony convictions and, therefore, was prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It is being 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 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.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
