Department of Justice

Jacksonville, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Dwayne Eric Thompson (39, Jacksonville) guilty of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Thompson faces a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to evidence presented at trial, Thompson was arrested, pursuant to an outstanding warrant, by officers from the Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office and his car was searched. A loaded pistol was recovered from the center console. During the search, Thompson and the other passengers denied knowledge and ownership of the firearm. DNA evidence presented at the trial showed that Thompson’s DNA was present on the firearm and the loaded magazine. At the time, Thompson had multiple prior felony convictions and was on federal supervised release, having previously been convicted by a federal trial jury in 2010 of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. As a convicted felon, Thompson is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Cannizzaro. Assistant United States Attorney Mai Tran is handling the forfeiture.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.