ORLANDO, FL – Jeremy Middleton, 25, of Apopka, Florida, is headed to federal prison after pleading guilty and receiving a sentence of three years and ten months for possessing stolen firearms. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger, reflects the brazen nature of Middleton’s crimes and the significant threat posed by illegally obtained weapons.
The ATF investigation revealed Middleton’s spree began January 4, 2023, when he targeted a gun store in Melbourne. Armed with a grinder and hammer, he forced his way through the back door, pilfering 13 firearms and stuffing them into a black trash bag. The scene, according to court documents, was one of calculated destruction and disregard for the law. Middleton wasn’t after money, it was the guns themselves.
Just two days later, on January 6, 2023, Middleton attempted a repeat offense at a gun store in Clearwater. This time, however, law enforcement intervened, disrupting the burglary and arresting Middleton at the scene. A search of his vehicle yielded two of the firearms stolen from the Melbourne store. The remaining eleven stolen weapons were later discovered in a trash bag on Middleton’s property in Apopka.
Federal prosecutors secured the conviction and forfeiture of all 13 stolen firearms. Assistant U.S. Attorney Diane Hu led the prosecution, ensuring Middleton faced the full weight of federal law. The investigation was a collaborative effort, involving the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, the Melbourne Police Department, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, and the Apopka Police Department, alongside the ATF.
This case is being touted as a success for Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a Department of Justice program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. While the feds trumpet PSN’s impact, the reality is Middleton was caught *after* successfully stealing 13 firearms. The program’s lofty goals of fostering trust and community involvement are cold comfort to those potentially endangered by Middleton’s actions.
The Tampa Field Division of the ATF handled the investigation. Middleton’s sentence sends a message – though many will question if it’s strong enough – that federal authorities are serious about cracking down on gun theft and those who seek to arm themselves illegally. Whether this will truly make neighborhoods safer remains to be seen, but the ATF is confident it’s a step in the right direction.
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