Kranston Algeno Rolle, Firearms Trafficking, Florida 2023

TAMPA, FL – Kranston Algeno Rolle, 33, of Bradenton, Florida, has pleaded guilty to federal firearms trafficking charges, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced Friday. Rolle, a repeat offender with a rap sheet stretching back years, now faces a maximum sentence of 15 years in federal prison. No sentencing date has been set.

The case, built on evidence gathered by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), reveals Rolle knowingly possessed and fired multiple firearms despite being legally prohibited. On December 30, 2022, Rolle trafficked in a Smith & Wesson Model SD9 VE 9mm pistol, a Glock Model 45 .9mm pistol, and a GForce Arms Model GF2P semi-automatic shotgun. He then brazenly discharged these weapons at a shooting range in Palmetto, Florida.

Investigators discovered Rolle obtained the firearms knowing full well it was a felony offense. He further compounded the crime by purchasing shotgun shells at the same range and deliberately falsifying his status on a liability release form, lying about his prior convictions. A subsequent search of Rolle’s Bradenton residence on March 17, 2022, turned up two firearms matching those used at the shooting range. Rolle later confessed to using the pistols and unlawfully receiving and firing the shotgun, and was positively identified in both video and photographic evidence showing him handling the weapons.

Rolle’s criminal history is extensive. Prior convictions include robbery, grand theft of a motor vehicle, felony battery, and fleeing and eluding a police officer – all felonies that disqualify him from legally possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. This isn’t a first-time mistake; Rolle has repeatedly demonstrated a disregard for the law and a penchant for violent crime. The sheer volume of his prior offenses paints a clear picture of a dangerous individual.

Assistant United States Attorney David W.A. Chee is prosecuting the case. This prosecution falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement agencies and local communities. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened version of PSN in May 2021, focusing on building trust, supporting community organizations, and strategically targeting enforcement efforts.

The ATF’s Tampa Field Division played a crucial role in the investigation. While the specifics of how Rolle acquired the firearms remain under investigation, this case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle to keep weapons out of the hands of convicted felons. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case as it moves towards sentencing and will provide updates as they become available.

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