Miami, Florida – In a federal district court in West Palm Beach, Florida, 33-year-old Eric Leon Nelms was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm and distributing fentanyl as an armed career criminal.
Nelms was prosecuted under the Federal Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA), which provides for an enhanced sentence for persons with at least three prior felony convictions for violent felonies or serious drug trafficking crimes. On February 21, 2020, Nelms sold a stolen firearm, identified as a Smith & Wesson, Model Bodyguard, .380 Caliber pistol, and a second firearm, a Kel-Tec, Model P3AT, .380 Caliber pistol. On May 26, 2020, Nelms sold a third firearm, a Taurus, Model G2C 9 mm pistol. He also trafficked twenty-five (25) capsules of fentanyl.
Prior to his commission of the offenses, Nelms had two prior separate felony convictions for robbery, and one prior felony conviction for possession of cocaine with intent to sell. Nelms was therefore subject to the enhanced sentencing provisions of the ACCA.
This case stems from Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
U.S. District Judge Donald M. Middlebrooks imposed the sentence. Assistant U.S. Attorney Shannon O’Shea Darsch prosecuted the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney William T. Zloch is handling asset forfeiture.
Nelms was prosecuted under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF) program, a partnership between federal, state and local law enforcement agencies that aims to dismantle the highest-level drug traffickers and money launderers.
Nelms’ prior convictions include two separate felony convictions for robbery and one prior felony conviction for possession of cocaine with intent to sell. He was therefore subject to the enhanced sentencing provisions of the ACCA.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Armed Career Criminal
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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