JACKSONVILLE, FL – Raymond Reeves, 22, of Jacksonville, is facing over two years in federal prison after a reckless driving stop uncovered a loaded handgun in his car. U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard sentenced Reeves to 27 months behind bars on Tuesday, October 18, 2022, for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The sentence adds another chapter to a criminal history already stained with violence.
The bust originated with a routine traffic stop conducted by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO). Officers observed Reeves driving recklessly, leading to a stop where a search revealed a loaded Taurus 9mm pistol on the floorboard of his vehicle. It wasn’t just the gun that landed Reeves in trouble; it was who he was. Reeves had previously been convicted of armed carjacking, a violent felony that stripped him of the right to possess firearms under federal law.
Reeves pleaded guilty on July 22, 2022, acknowledging his prohibited status. The 9mm pistol itself will now be forfeited to the government. Authorities say Reeves was released from prison in 2020 after serving time for the carjacking, but clearly hadn’t learned his lesson. This isn’t about simply possessing a weapon; it’s about a repeat offender flaunting a blatant disregard for the law and endangering the public.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between JSO and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Frank Talbot and Cyrus Zomorodian led the prosecution, with Mai Tran handling the asset forfeiture. The case highlights the ongoing struggle to keep dangerous weapons out of the hands of those with a proven history of violent crime.
Federal officials framed the sentencing as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a nationwide initiative designed to reduce violent crime and gun violence by bringing together law enforcement and communities. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened version of PSN in May 2021, focusing on building trust with communities, supporting local organizations, and strategically targeting enforcement efforts.
Whether PSN and sentences like Reeves’ will truly make a dent in Jacksonville’s crime rate remains to be seen. But for now, one convicted felon is off the streets, and one loaded firearm is out of circulation. The Tampa Field Division of the ATF played a key role in ensuring that Reeves will be spending the next 27 months answering for his actions, and likely facing a future where possessing a firearm carries even steeper consequences.
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