LAKELAND, FL – A brazen drive-by shooting that left eleven people wounded in Lakeland on January 30th has resulted in federal charges against two local men. Nicholas Quinton Hanson, 32, and Marcus Dewonn Mobley, Jr., 22, both of Lakeland, are accused of participating in the shooting from a blue Nissan Altima, according to court documents unsealed Wednesday.
The indictment alleges Hanson is charged with possessing ammunition as a convicted felon, while Mobley faces charges for possessing both a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Each man could face up to 15 years in federal prison if convicted. The shooting, which thankfully didn’t result in any fatalities, unleashed a barrage of gunfire – 9-millimeter, .40 caliber, and 5.56 millimeter shell casings littered the scene, according to investigators.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) SPARTA unit led the investigation, with significant assistance from the FBI, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Lakeland Police Department, Polk County Sheriff’s Office, and the State Attorney’s Office for Florida’s 10th Judicial Circuit. Crucially, investigators say DNA recovered from spent shell casings directly links both defendants to the crime. Mobley’s DNA was found on a .40 caliber casing and inside the vehicle used in the shooting. Hanson’s DNA was recovered from two 9-millimeter casings.
The feds didn’t stop at ballistics. A search of Hanson’s home turned up a loaded 9-millimeter handgun. While the indictment details the evidence, it remains silent on the motive behind the attack. The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge as the case progresses. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher F. Murray will prosecute the case.
This case is being touted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN) initiative, a broad program aimed at reducing violent crime through collaborative efforts between law enforcement and community organizations. The DOJ claims PSN focuses on fostering trust, supporting preventative programs, and strategic enforcement, but critics argue these programs often fall short of addressing the root causes of violence.
An indictment is not a conviction. Both Hanson and Mobley are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available. This incident underscores the persistent gun violence plaguing communities across the nation and the ongoing struggle to keep firearms out of the hands of convicted felons.
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Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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