Alton Wayne Cope, Illegally Possessing and Selling Firearms, Florida 2024

A St. Augustine man has been sentenced to four years and three months in federal prison for illegally possessing and selling firearms, according to a recent court ruling.

Alton Wayne Cope, III, a 64-year-old St. Augustine resident, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Harvey Schlesinger on [October 2024] for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and conspiring to deal firearms without a license.

Cope entered a guilty plea in October 2024, marking the end of a lengthy investigation by law enforcement agencies.

According to court documents, agents began investigating Cope and a co-conspirator in 2024 after learning that Cope may have been illegally selling firearms. The investigation revealed that Cope and his co-conspirator sold a total of 11 firearms to an individual, Braden Hobbs, who was the original purchaser of the firearms.

Throughout the investigation, agents discovered that at least two of the firearms sold by Cope and his co-conspirator had previously been reported stolen. Additionally, cellphone records showed that the co-conspirator regularly purchased firearms from Hobbs.

Cope's actions are in direct violation of federal law, which prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms or ammunition. Cope's previous convictions include two counts of possession of cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence in communities nationwide. The program brings together law enforcement agencies and community organizations to foster trust and legitimacy in communities and prevent violence from occurring in the first place.

Cope's sentencing is a significant blow to those involved in the illicit firearms trade. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of adhering to federal laws and regulations, particularly for those with a history of convictions.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/st-augustine-felon-sentenced-more-four-years-illegally-possessing-and-selling-firearms