TAMPA, FL – A Sarasota man is facing a decade behind bars after admitting to peddling firearms to a known felon. Robert Humberston, 39, pleaded guilty yesterday to unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a charge stemming from an investigation sparked by reports of illegal gun sales.
The bust began in March 2021 when officers conducting a probation search discovered three firearms in the possession of a man already prohibited from owning them. The felon immediately identified Humberston as his supplier, claiming he’d purchased the weapons – including one just weeks prior, in early January 2021 – through Facebook.
Law enforcement wasted no time securing a warrant for Humberston’s Facebook account. What they found wasn’t just a few casual posts; it was a digital storefront showcasing Humberston holding various firearms and actively arranging sales. Crucially, they recovered the message chain proving Humberston agreed to sell a firearm to the convicted felon in early January 2021, sealing his fate.
Humberston’s criminal history already disqualified him from owning any firearms or ammunition under federal law. Details of his prior felony convictions weren’t released, but the charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Sarasota Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Charlie D. Connally is prosecuting the case. Federal officials emphasize this case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaborative law enforcement and community engagement.
The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN strategy in May 2021, focusing on fostering trust within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and measuring results. This case serves as a clear signal that those who illegally supply firearms, especially to individuals already barred from owning them, will be aggressively pursued and prosecuted.
Related Federal Cases
- Brandon Eugene Brooke, Unlicensed Gun Sales, Florida 2024 · Alabama
- Brandon Williams, Heroin and Gun Possession, Florida 2015 · Virginia
- Gordon Gun Possession, Florida 2023 · Florida
- Jermonte Thornton, Felon Gun Possession, Florida 2024 · Virginia
- Max Chambers, Machine Gun Possession, Florida 2019 · Ohio
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
