Clay County Man With History of Domestic Violence Indicted on Multiple Firearm Charges
Jacksonville, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Paul Steven Hulbert (26, Middleburg) with unlawful possession of a firearm by a person convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, unlawful possession of a firearm by a person subject to a domestic violence injunction, and two counts of possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle and short-barreled shotgun. Hulbert faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison on each count. The indictment also notifies Hulbert that the United States intends to forfeit multiple firearms which are traceable to the offenses. Hulbert made his initial appearance in federal court today and was ordered detained.
According to the indictment and public records, in August 2021, Hulbert was convicted of the misdemeanor crime of domestic battery, in Clay County, Florida. During this timeframe the Clay County Court also issued a “Temporary Injunction for Protection Against Domestic Violence with Minor Children” against Hulbert, which specifically prohibited him from possessing firearms and directed him to surrender any firearms in his possession to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. After the domestic battery conviction and issuance of the domestic violence injunction, both of which prohibited him from possessing firearms, Hulbert obtained seven firearms that included rifles, pistols, and a shotgun. The barrel of the shotgun and one rifle were illegally modified to shorten their length.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty. This case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (Jacksonville Office). It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
