JACKSONVILLE, FL – Terry Lenard Shipman, 48, is headed back to federal prison after a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office officer caught him shoplifting and discovered a loaded weapon in his coat pocket. U.S. District Judge Brian J. Davis sentenced Shipman to five years and five months for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon – a charge he pleaded guilty to in December 2022.
The bust began with a simple theft at a RaceTrac gas station on February 5, 2022. According to court documents, Shipman pilfered two bottles of booze, stuffing them into his coat. When confronted by the officer, the stolen alcohol and a Smith and Wesson .38 caliber revolver were recovered. The officer had no reason to believe a petty theft would escalate into a federal weapons charge.
But Shipman’s criminal history painted a far more dangerous picture. He wasn’t just a shoplifter; he was a repeat offender with multiple prior felony convictions. Even more troubling, Shipman had just been released from prison after serving time for selling narcotics. Federal law clearly prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms or ammunition, a fact Shipman apparently ignored.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) partnered with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office on the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorney John Cannizzaro prosecuted the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney Mai Tran will handle the forfeiture of the weapon. The swift prosecution demonstrates a zero-tolerance policy for those who illegally arm themselves after being convicted of felonies.
Federal officials are framing the case as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a broad initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and communities. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened version of PSN in May 2021, emphasizing community trust, preventative measures, and focused enforcement.
Shipman’s case serves as a stark reminder that even seemingly minor offenses can unravel a web of illegal activity and lead to significant federal penalties. The five-year, five-month sentence should deter others from making the same dangerous choices. He will be processed through the federal system and transferred to a designated Bureau of Prisons facility.
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