Department of Justice

Orlando, Florida – U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger today sentenced Darrius Jaques Garrett (33, Orlando) to seven years and six months in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Garrett to forfeit a Glock pistol and ammunition, which were used in this case. Garrett had pleaded guilty on November 30, 2022.

According to court documents, Garrett was charged with knowingly possessing a Glock pistol and .22 caliber rounds of ammunition on May 27, 2022, in connection with a shooting. At approximately 4:00 p.m. that day, the Orange County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to Americana Boulevard in Orlando where they found a man who had sustained gunshot wounds to the torso. That man was later treated and released from the hospital. Surveillance images from a nearby business captured the shooting.

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Five days later, on June 1, 2022, Garrett was observed in the same area by deputies with the same Dodge Charger depicted on the video. Inside, deputies found a loaded Glock firearm that authorities allege was used in the shooting.

Garrett is a 5-time convicted felon and is therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Courtney D. Richardson-Jones.

This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety – one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and re-entry efforts. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.