KEY POINTS
A Middleburg man with fourteen prior felony convictions was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm after deputies discovered him with two loaded guns and a cache of illegal narcotics. U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard handed down the maximum sentence to Todd Wade Powers, 38, who had previously pleaded guilty. The case stems from an April 30, 2024, incident where Clay County Sheriff’s deputies, investigating a car with a stolen license plate at a local gas station, uncovered the weapons and drugs, which Powers later admitted were his.
Details of the Arrest in Clay County
The investigation began when deputies from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office were dispatched to a gas station to investigate a complaint. While on the scene, they identified a vehicle bearing a license plate that had been reported stolen in Jacksonville. This discovery prompted a closer inspection of the vehicle.
Peering inside the car, deputies immediately observed an open backpack on the passenger seat. Clearly visible at the top of the backpack were a firearm and a white powdery substance, which was later confirmed to be cocaine. A subsequent, more thorough search of the vehicle yielded a significant quantity of additional contraband.
Investigators recovered fentanyl, methamphetamine, and marijuana, along with the cocaine. They also found a second loaded firearm, confirming the immediate danger the situation posed. Through their investigation, law enforcement officers successfully linked Powers to the vehicle, and during questioning, he admitted that both the firearms and the collection of illicit drugs belonged to him.
The Legal Framework for Firearms Prohibitions
Federal law strictly regulates who may possess firearms and ammunition, with the primary goal of keeping weapons out of the hands of those who might misuse them. The charge against Powers, commonly known as “felon in possession,” is one of the most frequently prosecuted federal gun crimes and is central to this mission.
Understanding 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1)
The specific statute, Title 18, Section 922(g)(1) of the U.S. Code, makes it a federal crime for any person who has been convicted of a felony—a crime punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year—to possess a firearm or ammunition. This prohibition is lifelong unless an individual’s rights have been formally restored, which is a rare occurrence.
The law defines “possession” broadly. It includes actual possession, where the firearm is on the person’s body, and constructive possession. Constructive possession, which applied in Powers’ case, means the individual has knowledge of the firearm and the ability and intent to exercise control over it, even if it is not physically on their person, such as when it is located in their car or home.
Enhanced Sentencing Under the Armed Career Criminal Act
For offenders with extensive and serious criminal histories, the consequences are significantly heightened under the Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA). This federal law mandates a minimum 15-year prison sentence for anyone convicted under the felon-in-possession statute who also has at least three prior convictions for a “violent felony” or a “serious drug offense.”
Powers’ criminal record, which includes seven prior felony convictions for the sale or delivery of controlled substances, squarely qualified him for this enhancement. These prior convictions are considered “serious drug offenses” under the ACCA, triggering the mandatory minimum sentence and reflecting Congress’s intent to impose severe penalties on armed, recidivist offenders.
A Collaborative Law Enforcement Effort
This case highlights the effective partnership between local and federal law enforcement agencies in targeting and prosecuting violent crime. The initial patrol work and investigation were conducted by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, whose deputies first identified the stolen plate and uncovered the evidence.
Due to the nature of the firearms offense and Powers’ extensive criminal history, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) joined the investigation. The ATF specializes in federal firearms laws and often partners with local agencies on complex cases involving armed offenders. The successful prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Elisibeth Adams of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida.
The 15-year sentence imposed on Powers serves as a stark reminder of the serious federal consequences for convicted felons who choose to possess firearms. The case underscores law enforcement’s commitment to using federal statutes to remove repeat offenders from communities and prevent future violence and drug trafficking.
