Twenty-Time Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm Offense
Ocala, Fla. — U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Craig Antwon O'Neal, 54, of Ocala, has pleaded guilty to one count of possession of a firearm affecting commerce by a convicted felon. O'Neal faces a mandatory minimum term of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not been set.
According to the superseding indictment, on July 20, 2020, O'Neal was in possession of a firearm. As a multi-convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing either firearms or ammunition under federal law. O'Neal has 20 prior state felony convictions, including strong-arm robbery, resisting arrest with violence, sale of cocaine and burglary of a conveyance. His extensive prior record also qualifies him for a sentencing enhancement as an Armed Career Criminal.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Belkis H. Crockett.
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 of Justice 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.
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