Luis Rosado, Gun Possession by Felon, Florida 2023

ORLANDO, FL – Luis Rosado, 28, of Winter Park, is facing a hefty federal sentence after being indicted on charges of possessing firearms despite a rap sheet stretching back years. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), alongside the Orlando Police Department, alleges Rosado was found with a cache of weapons on August 20, 2023, a clear violation of federal law given his extensive criminal history.

According to the indictment unsealed Monday, Rosado isn’t just a repeat offender; he’s a nineteen-time convicted felon. That’s nineteen separate trips through the justice system, and yet, authorities say he was found in possession of a Taurus pistol, a Radical Firearms rifle, a Silver Eagle shotgun, and a supply of Sellier & Bellot and Norma ammunition. Federal law explicitly prohibits individuals with felony convictions from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.

If convicted, Rosado faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. But the government isn’t stopping there. The indictment also includes a notice of intent to forfeit the weapons and ammunition seized – the Taurus pistol, Radical Firearms rifle, Silver Eagle shotgun, and all associated ammo – effectively removing them from circulation and preventing potential future crimes. It’s a standard procedure, but in a case like this, it sends a clear message.

U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg of the Middle District of Florida is prosecuting the case, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Sartoian leading the charge. While an indictment is simply an accusation, and Rosado is presumed innocent until proven guilty, the sheer volume of prior convictions paints a troubling picture. The feds are hoping to keep him locked up for a significant stretch.

This case is being touted as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. PSN is a collaborative effort, bringing together federal, state, and local law enforcement with community organizations, all with the goal of making neighborhoods safer. The Department of Justice launched a renewed focus on PSN in 2021, emphasizing community trust, prevention, and strategic enforcement.

But for the residents of Orlando, and especially those in Winter Park, this isn’t about lofty program names. It’s about a man with a long history of breaking the law allegedly possessing the tools to do even more harm. The outcome of this case will likely be closely watched, not just by law enforcement, but by those who live in fear of gun violence in a city already grappling with its share of crime.

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