Ocala, FL – Lewis Tinson, Jr., a 30-year-old resident of Ocala, has been sentenced to five years and ten months in federal prison for firearm possession by a convicted felon. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Thomas P. Barber following Tinson’s guilty plea on January 8, 2025.
The incident leading to Tinson’s arrest occurred on August 27, 2021, when his girlfriend contacted 911, reporting that he had threatened her with a gun. Upon arrival at the scene, Marion County Sheriff’s deputies found Tinson outside the residence holding firearms. As the deputies approached, Tinson attempted to evade capture by fleeing inside the home and concealing three loaded firearms in a clothes hamper.
Tinson’s criminal history includes four prior felony convictions, all involving firearms. These convictions include carjacking with a firearm, possession of a firearm by a delinquent, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and shooting at or into a vehicle. Federal law prohibits Tinson, as a convicted felon, from possessing any firearms or ammunition.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives alongside the Marion County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk Watson.
This sentencing is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative that unites law enforcement at all levels with communities to combat violent crime and gun violence, aiming to create safer neighborhoods. In May 2021, the Department of Justice enhanced its violent crime reduction strategy under PSN, focusing on building trust and legitimacy within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, establishing targeted enforcement priorities, and evaluating the outcomes.
