Roger B. Handberg, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida
Acting United States Attorney Sara C. Sweeney has announced that Mickey Colangelo, Jr., a 45-year-old resident of Fort Myers, has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The plea agreement subjects Colangelo to a minimum sentence of 15 years in federal prison, with the possibility of life imprisonment. He has also agreed to forfeit the firearm involved in the offense. A sentencing date is yet to be determined.
The plea agreement reveals that on October 30, 2024, Colangelo was apprehended by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office as he was wanted for a felony offense. During this encounter, deputies found a loaded pistol in his backpack. At that time, Colangelo had multiple prior felony convictions which legally barred him from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. His criminal history includes at least three prior felony convictions classified as “violent felonies,” which result in enhanced penalties under the Armed Career Criminal Act.
The investigation into this case was conducted by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office alongside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Mark Morgan is prosecuting the case.
This legal action falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative designed to unite various levels of law enforcement with communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence while enhancing neighborhood safety. On May 26, 2021, an updated strategy for reducing violent crime was launched by the Department based on principles such as fostering community trust and legitimacy, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.
