Thomas Oliver Morrison, a 64-year-old Jacksonville felon, has been sentenced to 21 months in federal prison for making false statements to a federally licensed firearms dealer during the attempted purchase of a firearm.
According to court records, Morrison attempted to purchase a 9mm pistol from a firearms store in Jacksonville on April 20, 2022. At the time, Morrison was subject to a permanent injunction for protection against domestic violence that was issued in 2017. Morrison also had multiple felony convictions, including battery and false imprisonment.
Morrison made multiple false statements on an ATF Form 4473 related to the injunction, his felony status, and his mental health condition. He had also been involuntarily committed to a mental institution in 2020, which also prohibits him from lawfully possessing or purchasing a firearm.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, with special assistance from the State Attorney’s Office (Fourth Judicial Circuit). It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Talbot. The case was uncovered through the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), which reports all denials to federal law enforcement for potential criminal prosecution.
Federal law makes it a felony offense to make a false statement to a firearms dealer when trying to buy a gun. U.S. District Judge Wendy W. Berger sentenced Morrison to 21 months in federal prison after he entered a guilty plea on February 21, 2024.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. The Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The sentencing of Thomas Oliver Morrison serves as a reminder of the consequences of attempting to circumvent federal firearms laws. The cooperation between federal and local law enforcement agencies in this case demonstrates the commitment to reducing violent crime and gun violence in our communities.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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