OKEECHOBEE, FL – Mitchell A. Ellis, 34, of Okeechobee County, is headed to federal prison after a reckless high-speed chase ended with his arrest and the discovery of a loaded weapon. U.S. District Judge Aileen M. Cannon handed down a 16-month sentence on October 12, along with a $10,000 fine, for illegal possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.
The incident unfolded on September 21, 2021, shortly after midnight. Ellis allegedly roared through downtown Okeechobee on his motorcycle, ignoring basic traffic laws and endangering the public. Law enforcement reports detail speeds exceeding 100 mph, multiple blown stop signs, and Ellis riding directly against oncoming traffic – all while armed with a loaded handgun.
The pursuit ended when Ellis crashed his motorcycle while attempting to escape across an open field, being thrown from the vehicle. A loaded Rossi .38 caliber revolver was found just feet from the wreckage. As a convicted felon, Ellis is legally prohibited from possessing any firearms. The chase and subsequent discovery formed the core of the federal case against him.
Federal authorities say this case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through collaborative efforts between federal, state, and local law enforcement. The program was revitalized in 2017, emphasizing locally-based strategies to combat violence.
U.S. Attorney Juan Antonio Gonzalez for the Southern District of Florida, alongside Christopher A. Robinson, Special Agent in Charge of the ATF’s Miami Field Division, and Okeechobee City Police Chief Donald Hagan, announced the sentencing. The ATF and Okeechobee PD jointly investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael D. Porter led the prosecution, with asset forfeiture handled by Daren Grove.
Court documents related to the case, identified as 21-cr-14038, are available on the District Court for the Southern District of Florida website at www.flsd.uscourts.gov and through the PACER system at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov. This case serves as a stark reminder that illegally possessing a firearm carries significant federal penalties, even for those with prior convictions.
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