Department of Justice

Ocala, FL – Malcolm Straughter (35, Ocala) has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Straughter was indicted on May 20, 2020.

According to court documents, on March 19, 2020, a City of Ocala police officer stopped Straughter in his vehicle for a traffic infraction. After the officer smelled the odor of marijuana coming from within the vehicle, a search revealed six bags of marijuana and a loaded 9mm firearm under Straughter’s seat. The firearm had an obliterated serial number and was later confirmed as stolen.

Straughter has prior state felony convictions for possession of a short-barreled shotgun, possession of cocaine, and robbery with a firearm and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Ocala Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Tyrie Boyer.

This case is part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. Initiated by the Attorney General in the fall of 2019, Project Guardian draws upon the Department’s past successful programs to reduce gun violence and enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes. For more information on Project Guardian visit www.justice.gov/projectguardian.