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Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Middle District of Florida
Roger B. Handberg, United States Attorney
www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl
For Immediate Release
Thursday, March 30, 2023

Jacksonville Convicted Felon Sentenced to Seven Years in Federal Prison for Firearm Possession

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Timothy J. Corrigan has sentenced Frederick Lamont Sams (41, Jacksonville) to seven years in federal prison for possessing a firearm by a convicted felon. Sams had pleaded guilty in December 2022.

According to court documents, on February 16, 2022, Sams was seen by a Jacksonville Sheriff’s Officer driving a stolen vehicle. Officers followed Sams which led to a pursuit where Sams fled from the vehicle. As Sams was fleeing, he threw a Glock .45 caliber pistol loaded with 25 rounds of ammunition, which was recovered once Sams was arrested.

Sams is a multi-convicted felon and was recently released from prison after having been convicted of burglary and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was out of prison less than six months before committing this offense. As a previously convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jacksonville Sherriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney John Cannizzaro. The forfeiture will be handled by Assistant United States Attorney Mai Tran.

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.

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