OCALA, FL – James Wendell Jackson, 31, of Wildwood, Florida, is facing serious federal time after being indicted on charges of possessing a firearm while being a convicted felon. The bust, announced Friday by U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg, adds another chapter to Jackson’s already extensive criminal history.
According to court documents, Jackson isn’t just a convicted felon – he’s a repeat offender with a record boasting seven prior felony convictions. That record includes a drug charge involving selling cocaine dangerously close to a daycare center, demonstrating a blatant disregard for community safety. Federal agents weren’t buying it, and moved on the case.
The break in the case came January 12, 2023, when law enforcement executed a federal search warrant at a Hernando County residence. Inside, they discovered a loaded American Tactical Imports firearm secured in a safe. Forensic analysis quickly tied Jackson to the weapon: his palmprint was found directly on the gun. Despite his criminal past, Jackson allegedly believed he could possess a loaded firearm without consequence.
Federal law clearly prohibits convicted felons from owning or possessing firearms and ammunition. Jackson now faces up to 15 years in federal prison if convicted on the indictment, which was originally handed down by a federal grand jury on November 28, 2023. This isn’t a slap on the wrist; it’s a serious attempt to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of those who have already demonstrated a willingness to break the law.
The investigation was a collaborative effort, led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with crucial support from the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office and the Wildwood Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Nowalk is prosecuting the case, determined to secure a conviction and hold Jackson accountable for his actions.
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 nationwide. PSN emphasizes building trust within communities, supporting local organizations dedicated to violence prevention, and strategically focusing enforcement efforts – all with the ultimate goal of creating safer neighborhoods for everyone. The feds say they’re doubling down on this initiative, and Jackson is just one example of their ongoing efforts.
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