FORT MYERS, FL – James Blanks, 27, is headed back to prison, this time under federal charges, after being sentenced to 12 months for illegally possessing a firearm. U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber handed down the sentence Friday, to run consecutively with a four-year state sentence Blanks is already serving. The feds also ordered the forfeiture of the loaded Smith & Wesson pistol found in his wrecked vehicle.
The case stems from a high-speed chase back on October 30, 2020. Fort Myers Police officers attempted a traffic stop on Blanks, but he floored it, leading them on a reckless pursuit. He didn’t just run – he slammed into another vehicle before losing control and crashing into a concrete utility pole. When officers approached the wreckage, they found the loaded handgun conveniently located under the driver’s seat.
Blanks’ prior conviction on state charges of aggravated fleeing to elude law enforcement already barred him from legally owning a firearm. Federal law is clear: convicted felons aren’t allowed to pack heat. This wasn’t a simple oversight; it was a conscious disregard for the law, and the court treated it as such. He initially pleaded guilty on May 4th.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Fort Myers Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Simon R. Eth handled the prosecution, building a case that clearly demonstrated Blanks’ illegal firearm possession. The gun and ammunition will now be seized by federal authorities.
Federal officials are framing this case as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a broad initiative designed to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The PSN program focuses on building trust with communities and strategically targeting enforcement efforts. But for James Blanks, the community outreach didn’t work.
Blanks will begin serving his federal sentence once he’s released from state prison, meaning his time behind bars is far from over. This case serves as a stark reminder that possessing a firearm while prohibited is a serious federal offense with significant consequences. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and other federal crime stories in Florida.
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