FORT MYERS, FL – Willie Hunter Jr., 22, of Fort Myers, is headed to federal prison for three years after being sentenced today for illegally possessing a firearm. U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell also ordered Hunter to forfeit the weapon used in the offense. Hunter pleaded guilty on February 28, 2024, but that didn’t keep him out of the crosshairs of federal justice.
The case unfolded November 30, 2023, when Fort Myers Police Department officers spotted a vehicle sporting illegally dark window tint near Palm Avenue and Douglas Street. When officers attempted a traffic stop, the driver floored it, blowing through the intersection and careening into a convenience store parking lot. The driver didn’t stick around, but the front passenger – identified as Hunter – bailed out and strolled calmly into the store, leaving the vehicle to bolt.
Officers quickly located Hunter inside the convenience store while others gave chase to the fleeing vehicle. The car was later discovered abandoned, and a search revealed two firearms stashed inside. Forensic fingerprint analysis directly linked Hunter to one of those guns. This wasn’t a case of mistaken identity; the evidence put him squarely at the scene with a weapon he had no legal right to possess.
Court records show Hunter’s criminal history is extensive, including prior felony convictions for possession of a firearm by a delinquent and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. As a repeat offender, Hunter was already legally prohibited from owning or possessing any firearms or ammunition under federal law. This conviction adds another layer to a pattern of disregard for the law and public safety.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Fort Myers Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Mark Morgan prosecuted the case, building a solid case that led to the guilty plea and subsequent sentencing. This isn’t just about one gun; it’s about removing dangerous individuals from the streets.
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and communities. Launched in 2021, PSN focuses on building trust, supporting community organizations, strategic enforcement, and measurable results – all aimed at making neighborhoods safer, one conviction at a time. The DOJ’s message is clear: those who illegally possess firearms will face the full weight of the law.
RELATED: Felon Willie Hunter Jr. Locked Up for Gun Possession
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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