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Cocoa Felon Raymond Kelly Faces 15 Years for Gun Possession
ORLANDO, FL – Raymond Lee Kelly, a 52-year-old resident of Cocoa, Florida, was found guilty today of possessing a firearm after a federal jury delivered a damning verdict. The conviction carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison due to Kelly’s extensive and violent criminal history, a record that paints a picture of a repeat offender with a blatant disregard for the law.
Kelly’s rap sheet includes prior convictions for drug trafficking, resisting arrest *with violence*, battery on a law enforcement officer, and, crucially, prior possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. These prior convictions qualify Kelly as an “Armed Career Criminal” under federal law, dramatically increasing the potential penalties for this latest offense. Adding insult to injury, Kelly was already on supervised release from a previous federal prison sentence when he committed the crime he was convicted of today.
The case unfolded after a traffic stop in Cocoa Beach, Florida, where Kelly attempted to evade police. According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Kelly fled the scene in his vehicle, quickly crashing shortly after initiating the pursuit. Undeterred, he continued his escape on foot, heading towards the beach and abandoning a trove of incriminating evidence in his wake. This included cannabis, a digital scale used for weighing narcotics, a Ruger semi-automatic handgun, and a fully loaded magazine containing 16 rounds of ammunition.
Federal investigators quickly pieced together the evidence, linking Kelly to the abandoned items and confirming his status as a convicted felon prohibited from possessing firearms. The investigation was a joint effort between the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Cocoa Beach Police Department, with crucial assistance provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney E. Jackson Boggs, Jr. is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is another component of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN) program, a nationwide initiative designed to combat violent crime and enhance community safety. PSN takes a holistic approach, combining aggressive law enforcement with prevention and reentry programs aimed at addressing the root causes of crime and reducing recidivism. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez spearheads PSN efforts in close collaboration with various federal, state, and local agencies.
Kelly’s sentencing hearing is currently scheduled for November 17, 2020. With a 15-year mandatory minimum looming, and considering his lengthy criminal history, Kelly is almost certain to face a substantial prison sentence, effectively removing a dangerous individual from the streets of Cocoa and sending a clear message that illegal gun possession will not be tolerated. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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