FORT PIERCE, FL – Jose Antonio Morales, 33, is headed to federal prison for 84 months after a jury found him guilty of being a felon unlawfully possessing a firearm and trafficking marijuana. The sentence was handed down today by U.S. District Judge Robin L. Rosenberg.
The case, investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office, stemmed from a June 2018 raid on Morales’ Fort Pierce residence. Law enforcement discovered over two pounds of high-grade marijuana and a loaded firearm stashed inside a safe in his bedroom.
What makes this case particularly disturbing? The search warrant was executed while five children were present in the home. A toddler was reportedly sleeping just feet away from the hidden stash of drugs and the loaded weapon. Morales, a convicted felon, was legally prohibited from owning either.
U.S. Attorney Ariana Fajardo Orshan didn’t mince words, praising the collaborative effort of the ATF and St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office. “This individual put a community, and especially vulnerable children, at risk,” she stated. The prosecution team, comprised of Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael D. Porter and Marton Gyires, successfully argued that Morales’ actions warranted a significant prison term.
The evidence presented during the trial in West Palm Beach painted a clear picture of Morales’ intent to distribute the marijuana. While the specific details of the operation remain sealed, sources close to the investigation indicate Morales was a local supplier. The 84-month sentence sends a message: trafficking drugs and illegally possessing firearms will not be tolerated, particularly when children are put in danger.
Court documents related to Case No. 18-Cr-14056 are available for public review on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida website at www.flsd.uscourts.gov and through the PACER system at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on further developments.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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