PENSACOLA, FL – James Leroy Smith Jr., 38, is headed back to prison for over a decade after a brazen shooting spree and repeated violations of the law. Smith was sentenced to 134 months – eleven years and two months – in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle, and multiple breaches of his supervised release conditions. The sentence was handed down this week by U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody.
The incident unfolded on April 24, 2021, when Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to reports of a man firing a weapon in a residential area of Pensacola. They found Smith behind the wheel, blasting rounds from a black AR-style rifle equipped with a 100-round drum magazine at another vehicle. This wasn’t Smith’s first rodeo with the law. He was already under federal supervision following a prison term for failing to register as a sex offender.
U.S. Attorney Coody didn’t mince words, stating, “Senseless violence by armed felons endangers the public and results in serious consequences.” He lauded the swift action of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, emphasizing that their work kept the community safer and ensured Smith faced justice. The arrest wasn’t just about this latest outburst; Smith’s rap sheet is extensive, including nine prior felony convictions – a previous conviction for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and a conviction for sexual battery.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between the Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia Forbes led the prosecution. The case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by uniting law enforcement at all levels with the communities they serve. The Department of Justice recently strengthened PSN, focusing on community trust, preventative measures, strategic enforcement, and measurable results.
Beyond the courtroom, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is urging residents to take simple steps to prevent crime. They are specifically asking the public to lock their car doors, particularly at night, as unlocked vehicles are a primary source of firearms for criminals in the region. It’s a stark reminder that even seemingly minor security measures can have a significant impact on public safety.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, one of 94 nationwide, serves as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. Court documents related to this case are available online via the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the office, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Sex Crimes
- Source: Official Press Release
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