JACKSONVILLE, FL – Cory Lee Kelly, 35, of Jacksonville, is headed to federal prison for nearly five years after a pattern of brazen disregard for the law and a repeated willingness to arm himself despite being a convicted felon. Chief U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan sentenced Kelly to four years and nine months for possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, a charge stemming from multiple encounters with law enforcement.
The trouble began April 28, 2022, when a Florida Highway Patrol trooper pulled Kelly over for a simple seatbelt violation. The stop quickly escalated. The trooper detected the odor of marijuana emanating from the vehicle, which also contained a two-year-old child. A check revealed Kelly had no valid driver’s license and an outstanding warrant for driving with a suspended license. A search of the car uncovered a Glock-type pistol hidden under the driver’s seat – a loaded weapon with no serial number and, critically, a “Glock switch” capable of turning it into a machine gun. Despite this, Kelly was initially released on bond after addressing the state charges.
Undeterred, Kelly was back in trouble less than three months later. On July 19, 2022, Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officers spotted Kelly speeding in a car with illegal window tint and expired registration. Another traffic stop, another smell of marijuana. This time, a semi-automatic pistol loaded with 30 rounds was within Kelly’s reach on the passenger side. The search also revealed counterfeit currency and bags of marijuana and crack cocaine. Again, Kelly posted bond while facing state charges, seemingly treating the legal system as a revolving door.
But the pattern couldn’t continue indefinitely. A federal grand jury indicted Kelly on September 1, 2022, for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. When federal agents arrived at his home on September 22, 2022, to execute the arrest, they found yet another loaded shotgun on the bathroom floor. As a convicted felon, Kelly is legally prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition. This time, bond wouldn’t save him.
Kelly pleaded guilty on February 8, 2023, and agreed to forfeit a machinegun, a semi-automatic AR-style pistol, and assorted ammunition. The investigation was a joint effort by the Florida Highway Patrol, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorneys Michael J. Coolican and Mai Tran prosecuted the case.
Federal officials framed the sentencing as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. But for residents of Jacksonville, Kelly’s case serves as a stark reminder that even repeat offenders can slip through the cracks, and the consequences of illegal gun possession extend far beyond the individual – endangering children and the broader community. The question remains: will this sentence finally keep Kelly from re-offending, or is this just another temporary pause in a dangerous cycle?
Related Federal Cases
- Shem Wayne Alexander, Conspiracy to Smuggle Firearms, Tampa FL, 2023 · Florida
- Miguel Quinones Admits to Federal Firearms Possession, Charleston W… · Virginia
- Lamar Ivory Convicted of Felon Firearm Possession, Jacksonville FL,… · Virginia
- Jimmy Don McCoy, Jr. Sentenced for Firearms Theft, Tulsa OK, 2023 · Oklahoma
- Tone Calle, Illegal Spearfishing, FL 2016 · Florida
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
