FORT MYERS, FL – Travis Lavon Anderson, 36, is headed to federal prison for nine years after a brazen display of gunfire led police to a cache of weapons at his Lantana Street residence. U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Barber handed down the sentence today, also ordering Anderson to forfeit the firearms and ammunition seized during the investigation. Anderson pleaded guilty on June 12, 2023, to the charge of possessing firearms as a convicted felon.
The case unfolded on June 8, 2022, when Fort Myers Police Department (FMPD) officers responded to reports of rapid gunfire near Anderson’s home. Surveillance footage quickly identified Anderson discharging a firearm – ten times – in front of the property. A subsequent search of the residence revealed a disturbing arsenal: three firearms and “several dozen” rounds of ammunition, including a loaded AR-15-style rifle and two handguns.
As a convicted felon, Anderson was legally barred from possessing any firearms or ammunition. The discovery of this stockpile isn’t just a violation of the law; it’s a direct threat to the community, putting lives at risk. The details of Anderson’s prior conviction haven’t been released, but federal law is clear: those with felony records are not permitted to own weapons.
The investigation was a joint effort between the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Fort Myers Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Simon R. Eth prosecuted the case, building a solid case based on the surveillance video and the physical evidence recovered from Anderson’s home. The swift action by both agencies underscores a commitment to taking illegal guns off the streets.
Federal officials highlighted that this case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement and local communities. The Department of Justice relaunched a strengthened PSN initiative in May 2021, focusing on community trust, prevention programs, strategic enforcement, and measurable results. But for the residents of Lantana Street, the promise of safety came *after* the sound of gunfire.
The nine-year sentence sends a clear message: illegally possessing firearms will be met with serious federal consequences. While prison time won’t undo the risk Anderson posed to his neighborhood, it removes a dangerous individual – and a collection of weapons – from the streets of Fort Myers. The Tampa Field Division of the ATF continues to investigate firearms-related crimes throughout the region.
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