JACKSONVILLE, FL – Paul Steven Hulbert, 26, of Middleburg, Florida, is facing serious federal charges after allegedly flouting both a domestic violence conviction and a protective order to amass a small arsenal. Hulbert was indicted by a grand jury this week on multiple firearm offenses, raising questions about oversight and the potential for escalating violence.
According to court documents, Hulbert was convicted of domestic battery in Clay County in August 2021. Simultaneously, the Clay County Court issued a “Temporary Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence with Minor Children,” explicitly prohibiting him from possessing firearms and mandating surrender of any weapons he owned. Hulbert allegedly ignored both mandates.
Instead, the indictment alleges Hulbert acquired seven firearms – rifles, pistols, and a shotgun – after the conviction and injunction were in place. Investigators discovered that the shotgun and one of the rifles had been illegally modified, shortening their barrels and classifying them as unregistered short-barreled firearms under federal law. This isn’t just about possessing guns; it’s about deliberately circumventing the law and escalating the danger.
Hulbert now faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on each of the four counts: unlawful possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, unlawful possession of a firearm while subject to a domestic violence injunction, and two counts related to the illegally modified weapons. The U.S. Attorney’s Office intends to seize all firearms connected to the alleged offenses.
Hulbert made his initial appearance in federal court today and was immediately ordered detained, meaning he will remain in jail pending further proceedings. The case was a joint effort between the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) Jacksonville Office. Assistant U.S. Attorney Kevin C. Frein is prosecuting the case.
Federal officials say this case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and communities. While the program’s goals are laudable, the fact that Hulbert allegedly obtained weapons despite clear legal prohibitions raises serious questions about its effectiveness in this instance. An indictment is not a conviction; Hulbert is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
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