Timothy Roberts, Illegal Firearms, Florida 2022

OCALA, FL – Timothy James Roberts, 29, of Hernando, Florida, is facing serious federal charges after investigators uncovered a cache of firearms despite a rap sheet that already disqualifies him from owning them. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), working alongside the Citrus County Sheriff’s Office, alleges Roberts was illegally in possession of multiple weapons, adding to a pattern of criminal behavior.

According to a superseding indictment unsealed Wednesday, Roberts possessed a short-barreled shotgun that wasn’t registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as of August 7, 2022. This alone carries a potential 10-year federal prison sentence. But the ATF wasn’t finished. Less than a month later, on August 31st, deputies found Roberts with a pistol and a revolver, escalating the charges.

This isn’t a first offense for Roberts. Court records show four prior felony grand theft convictions in state court. Federal law clearly prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms or ammunition. The indictment states Roberts knowingly violated this law on both occasions, raising questions about how he obtained the weapons in the first place. Investigators are likely looking into potential sources of the firearms.

U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg of the Middle District of Florida is prosecuting the case, with Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg leading the charge. If convicted on all counts, Roberts could face up to 15 years in prison for each of the two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, in addition to the 10 years for the unregistered shotgun. That’s a potential 40-year stretch behind bars.

The case is being touted as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN),” a federal initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by coordinating law enforcement efforts at all levels. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN strategy in May 2021, focusing on community trust, prevention programs, strategic enforcement, and measurable results. Whether this initiative truly addresses the root causes of crime or simply increases arrests remains to be seen.

It’s important to remember that an indictment is merely an accusation. Roberts is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, given his history and the evidence presented, this case is a stark reminder that illegally possessing firearms carries severe consequences under federal law, and the ATF intends to pursue these cases aggressively. The Tampa Field Division of the ATF handled the investigation.

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