David Robinson Jr., Illegal Rifle Possession, Florida 2023

Ocala, FL – A Tampa man is facing a decade behind bars after a federal judge convicted him of illegally possessing a short-barrel rifle. David Robinson Jr., 24, was found guilty by Senior U.S. District Judge Gregory A. Presnell following a trial that revealed he was carrying a loaded, unregistered weapon when encountered by law enforcement in Citrus County.

The trouble began in September 2022 when deputies with the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office came across Robinson. They discovered he was in possession of a rifle with a barrel measuring approximately 12.5 inches – a length that triggered federal regulations. Critically, the weapon wasn’t registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, making its possession a federal offense.

Federal prosecutors successfully argued that Robinson knowingly violated the National Firearms Act (NFA). The NFA imposes strict regulations on certain types of firearms, including short-barrel rifles, requiring registration and often, special tax stamps. Robinson’s failure to comply with these requirements landed him in federal court.

The investigation was a joint effort between the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg led the prosecution, presenting evidence that ultimately secured the guilty verdict. Robinson was originally indicted on October 11, 2022, setting the stage for the recent trial.

Robinson now awaits sentencing, scheduled for July 20, 2023. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. This case is being touted as a win for Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and communities.

The Department of Justice, through PSN, emphasizes a multi-pronged approach: building trust with communities, supporting local violence prevention organizations, focusing enforcement efforts, and meticulously tracking results. This case serves as a stark reminder that illegal possession of firearms carries serious consequences under federal law, and the ATF will continue to pursue these violations aggressively.

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