Tampa, Florida – In a brazen display of disregard for federal law, 27-year-old Robert Lee Lane of Bradenton was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm.
According to court documents, on January 3, 2012, law enforcement officers observed Lane engaging in a drug transaction on the side of the road in Manatee County. When Lane recognized law enforcement, he fled. Officers chased Lane and observed him throw a gun over a fence into the backyard of a local residence. Officers subsequently retrieved the firearm.
At the time of his arrest, Lane had multiple previous felony convictions. As such, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Stacie B. Harris.
Lane’s actions are a stark reminder of the dangers posed by gun violence and the importance of enforcing our nation’s firearms laws.
The case was prosecuted as part of the Department’s ‘Project Safe Neighborhoods’ program – a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy. United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill, along with Julie Torres, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, is coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
This sentence marks a major victory for law enforcement and a step towards making our community safer. We will continue to work tirelessly to keep our neighborhoods safe from the scourge of gun violence and drug trafficking.
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