Ocala Man Admits to Accidentally Shooting Himself, Faces Firearms Charges
A 37-year-old man from Ocala, Florida, has pleaded guilty to a firearms offense after admitting to accidentally shooting himself. Michael Guell, a convicted felon, faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison.
According to the plea agreement, Guell was admitted to an Ocala-area hospital on November 28, 2018, for gunshot wounds. Initially, he told police that he had been robbed at gunpoint and shot by an unknown assailant. However, further investigation revealed that Guell had been drinking in his car and had accidentally shot himself.
Police located Guell’s car and found shell casings and handgun ammunition through the car’s window. A search of the vehicle revealed a semi-automatic handgun, 26 rounds of ammunition, and multiple shell casings. As a convicted felon, Guell is prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition under federal law.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Ocala Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney William S. Hamilton.
This case is another example of the ‘Project Safe Neighborhoods’ Program (PSN) at work. The nationwide initiative aims to decrease violent crime in communities through a comprehensive approach to public safety, including investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts.
Michael Guell, a resident of Ocala, Florida, faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence has not yet been set.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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