Jimmy Ray Lightsey, Armed Firearm and Drug Crime, Florida 2020

In a federal courtroom in Jacksonville, Florida, a jury delivered a guilty verdict against Jimmy Ray Lightsey (39, Jacksonville) on charges of possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possessing controlled substances with the intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

Lightsey, an Armed Career Criminal, faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and up to life in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 27, 2020.

The case against Lightsey began on June 24, 2018, when officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office arrested him for driving without a valid license. A search of his vehicle revealed a 9mm pistol and a bag of marijuana in plain view. Further investigation uncovered additional marijuana, cocaine, crack cocaine, and empty baggies used for packaging narcotics.

The pistol found in Lightsey’s car was later determined to have been stolen from a home in Jacksonville approximately two weeks earlier. At the time of the incident, Lightsey had multiple prior felony convictions, including for the sale or delivery of cocaine and attempted armed robbery with a weapon.

As an Armed Career Criminal, Lightsey is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. This conviction marks another case prosecuted as part of the “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program, a nationwide initiative aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities.

The investigation was led by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorneys David B. Mesrobian and Beatriz Gonzalez are prosecuting the case.

This verdict serves as a testament to the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies working together to keep communities safe. As part of the “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program, efforts are being made to investigate and prosecute crimes, while also focusing on prevention and reentry initiatives.

Defendant: Jimmy Ray Lightsey

Criminal Charges: Possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possessing controlled substances with the intent to distribute, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon

City and State: Jacksonville, Florida

Exact Date: June 24, 2018

Sentence: Mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years and up to life in federal prison

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/armed-career-criminal-found-guilty-firearm-and-drug-offenses