Alton Jackson, Firearms Trafficking, FL 2024

FORT MYERS, FL – Alton Jackson, 26, of Labelle, Florida, is trading palm trees for prison bars after receiving a six-year and three-month federal sentence for illegally possessing and selling a firearm. U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell didn’t pull any punches, exceeding sentencing guidelines due to Jackson’s lengthy rap sheet and demonstrated propensity for re-offending.

The conviction stems from a January 2019 deal gone wrong – for Jackson, at least. He willingly sold an AR-15 style rifle to an undercover agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) at a Fort Myers motel. Little did he know he was peddling to the feds. Jackson pleaded guilty on May 8, 2020, but that didn’t spare him from a substantial prison term.

Jackson’s criminal history, stretching back to age 14, clearly weighed heavily on Judge Chappell. Court documents reveal a pattern of encounters with law enforcement, contributing to the court’s assessment of his high risk of recidivism. This wasn’t a first offense; it was a continuation of a troubling trend, and the judge clearly wasn’t buying any sob stories.

Following the sale, Jackson attempted to evade justice, leading to a months-long manhunt. The United States Marshals Service finally tracked him down in North Carolina, hauling him back to the Middle District of Florida to face the consequences. The chase itself speaks volumes about Jackson’s willingness to run from responsibility.

Assistant United States Attorney Michael V. Leeman successfully prosecuted the case, highlighting the ATF’s dedication to keeping illegal firearms off the streets. This case isn’t an isolated incident. It’s part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN) program, a nationwide initiative aimed at slashing violent crime by targeting illegal gun sales and repeat offenders.

U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez is coordinating PSN efforts across the Middle District of Florida, working with a network of federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The message is clear: if you’re involved in illegal gun trafficking, you’ll be caught, prosecuted, and sent to prison – and Jackson’s six-plus year sentence serves as a stark warning to anyone considering following in his footsteps.”