Javonte Keyon Whitfield, Illegal Possession of a Loaded Rifle, Florida 2021

FORT MYERS, FL – Javonte Keyon Whitfield, 25, of Fort Myers, is facing a decade behind bars after a federal jury convicted him of illegally possessing a loaded rifle. The conviction comes after a chaotic scene near the intersection of Linhart and Evans Avenues on May 14, 2021, where multiple gunshots were reported, triggering a police investigation that uncovered a cache of weapons and drugs.

According to court documents, Fort Myers Police Department (FMPD) officers responded to the gunfire reports shortly before 1:30 A.M. Initially, an occupant of a duplex on Evans Avenue claimed he hadn’t heard anything and was alone with his three young children. That story quickly unraveled when six adult males – including Whitfield – and the same three children emerged from the residence. One of the men was found to be suffering from a gunshot wound, requiring immediate medical attention.

A subsequent search of the residence revealed a disturbing arsenal: seven unsecured firearms, dozens of rounds of ammunition, and a quantity of cocaine. Crucially, a loaded NORINCO SKS rifle with a high-capacity magazine was recovered from under a bed. Forensic analysis linked Whitfield to the weapon through a latent fingerprint found on the rifle’s bayonet. The timing couldn’t be worse for Whitfield, who had only been released from prison less than five months prior.

Federal law explicitly prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms or ammunition, a restriction Whitfield knowingly violated. The jury’s verdict confirms that Whitfield, despite his criminal history, illegally obtained and handled a dangerous weapon. He was originally indicted on February 9, 2022, and now awaits sentencing, with a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison looming.

The investigation was a joint effort by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Fort Myers Police Department, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorneys Simon R. Eth and Patrick L. Darcey are prosecuting the case. 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 by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and communities.

The PSN initiative, recently bolstered by a new violent crime reduction strategy, focuses on building trust, supporting community organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and measuring results. While the program aims to address root causes of violence, the prosecution of individuals like Whitfield underscores the immediate consequences of illegally possessing firearms and endangering public safety.

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