FORT MYERS, FL – Christopher George Montgomery, 30, of Port Saint Lucie, is headed to federal prison for 57 months after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell delivered the sentence today, also ordering Montgomery to forfeit the weapon and ammo used in the crime.
The case unfolded after Montgomery became the subject of a county-wide “be on the lookout” (BOLO) alert for prior offenses. When Arcadia Police Department officers located his vehicle in DeSoto County, Montgomery didn’t hesitate – he floored it, initiating a chase that quickly went south. The pursuit ended when Montgomery’s vehicle became hopelessly stuck on an embankment, but the attempt to evade justice didn’t end there.
Montgomery bolted on foot, leading officers on a desperate scramble through the Florida landscape. After his capture, officers meticulously retraced his escape route. Their efforts paid off when they discovered a chamber-loaded Glock pistol hidden in a drainage culvert along the path of his flight. A loaded Glock extended magazine was also recovered from inside Montgomery’s abandoned vehicle, painting a clear picture of his intent.
Federal law strictly prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms or ammunition, a fact Montgomery clearly disregarded. His criminal history made him ineligible to legally own a weapon, turning the simple act of possession into a serious federal offense. This isn’t a case of a first-time mistake; it’s a deliberate flouting of the law by someone already deemed unfit to possess deadly force.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Arcadia Police Department, the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Mark Morgan skillfully prosecuted the case, securing a conviction and a significant prison sentence. This demonstrates a coordinated response to violent crime in the region.
This prosecution is part of “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide initiative spearheaded by the Department of Justice. The operation aims to combat illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from violent criminals. It streamlines resources from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN), signaling a zero-tolerance approach to crime and a commitment to restoring safety to American streets.
Related Federal Cases
- Florida Gun Dealer Lawrence Destefano Indicted in Ghost Gun Ring · New York
- Florida Gunrunner Faces 71 Counts in NY Ghost Gun Pipeline · New York
- Queens Ghost Gun Ring Busted: 5 Sentenced · New York
- NFL Star Baker Sentenced For Heroin, Gun Charges · Georgia
- New Smyrna Gunrunner Carter Gets 51 Months · Florida
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
