Department of Justice

Ocala, Florida – Winyontis Quavari Gordon (28, Ocala) pleaded guilty yesterday to an indictment charging him with possession of a firearm and ammunition affecting commerce by a convicted felon. Gordon faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years, and up to life, imprisonment for the offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

 

According to court documents, on July 5, 2018, detectives from the Ocala Police Department attempted to arrest Gordon on an outstanding state warrant. Upon seeing the approaching detectives, Gordon exited the driver’s side of a parked car and fled on foot. Following a brief chase, the detectives took Gordon into custody and discovered a loaded .45 caliber handgun on the driver’s seat of the car, where Gordon had been sitting. During a subsequent interview with law enforcement, Gordon admitted that he had possessed the loaded firearm.

 

A records check confirmed that Gordon has prior state felony convictions for aggravated battery with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, domestic battery by strangulation, and felony battery. These felony convictions prohibit Gordon from lawfully possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. They will also qualify Gordon for an enhanced sentence as an Armed Career Criminal.

 

The Ocala Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives jointly investigated this case. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar, Jr.