DELRAY BEACH, FL – Pender Senatus, 38, is headed to federal prison for nine years after being convicted of possessing ammunition as a convicted felon. The sentence was handed down today by U.S. District Judge Kenneth A. Marra, following a trial that concluded January 25, 2019.
The case, a joint effort by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office (BSO), stemmed from an incident on July 25, 2017. Detectives from BSO’s SWAT/Fugitive Unit, working as Task Force Officers with the Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force, attempted to arrest Senatus at his Delray Beach residence on a warrant for second-degree murder in a separate Broward County case.
According to court records, Senatus didn’t cooperate. When ordered to the ground, he fled towards his front door. A struggle ensued, and Senatus pulled a loaded handgun from his waistband. The weapon fell to the ground as detectives wrestled him into custody. While a federal charge for possession of the firearm itself couldn’t stick – the gun was manufactured in Florida and hadn’t crossed state lines – the ammunition inside did originate from out of state, opening the door for the federal charge of being a felon in possession of ammunition, a violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(a)(2).
The jury acquitted Senatus of more serious charges: assaulting the federal officers with a firearm (Title 18, United States Code, Section 111(a)(1) and (b)), and using, carrying, and brandishing the firearm during the alleged assaults (Title 18, United States Code, Section 924(c)(1)(A)(i) and (ii)). However, the ammunition conviction proved enough to secure the 108-month sentence, followed by three years of supervised release.
U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan highlighted the case as an example of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) in action – a program designed to bring together law enforcement at all levels to combat violent crime. “This case demonstrates our commitment to keeping our communities safe by targeting violent criminals and enforcing federal firearms laws,” she stated. The investigation was led by Special Agent in Charge Ari C. Shapira of the ATF, U.S. Marshal Gadyaces S. Serralta, and Sheriff Gregory Tony of the Broward County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant U.S. Attorney William T. Shockley prosecuted the case. Court documents and further information can be found on the District Court for the Southern District of Florida’s website: www.flsd.uscourts.gov or http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov.
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