Multi-Convicted Felon Sentenced to Ten Years in Prison on Federal Firearms Cases
Ocala, Florida – Senior United States District Judge John Antoon II today sentenced Christopher Maurice McCallum Jr. (28, Ocala) to 8 years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. In addition, McCallum received a consecutive 2-year prison term on a related violation of supervision in another firearm case.
According to the plea agreement, on May 25, 2020, City of Ocala police officers responded to a shooting in a local neighborhood. The officers soon observed McCallum driving an automobile that was attempting to flee the area. McCallum was apprehended after a short pursuit, once he abandoned the automobile and tried to run on foot. In the driver-side floorboard of the automobile, officers recovered a stolen rifle loaded with ammunition. McCallum, a multi-convicted felon already on supervision for a federal weapons offense, is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under the law.
On June 6, 2020, officers again arrested McCallum on several outstanding federal warrants relating to this conduct. At the time of his arrest, McCallum had barricaded himself inside a rented apartment. A subsequent search of the apartment revealed two more loaded firearms—a stolen handgun and another rifle—along with illegal drugs and paraphernalia. This new criminal activity violated McCallum’s federal supervision from a 2014 conviction for the same charge—possession of a firearm affecting commerce by a convicted felon.
“A key component of ATF’s mission is reducing violent crime,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Craig W. Saier, “ATF continues to aggressively pursue offenders related to firearms offenses and violent crime, and will continue to protect and serve our communities.”
This case was investigated by the City of Ocala Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Robert E. Bodnar Jr.
This case is also 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.
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