Jacksonville Convicted Felon Sentenced To More Than Three Years In Federal Prison For Firearm Possession

Jacksonville, Florida – U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Antoine Danielle Pearson, Jr. (28, Jacksonville) to three years and one month in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He was also ordered to forfeit the firearm and ammunition traceable to the offense. Pearson had pleaded guilty on May 24, 2023.

According to court documents, on August 12, 2022, officers with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office (JSO) attempted to pull over Pearson due to a traffic infraction. After he stopped, Pearson fled from the vehicle on foot, armed with a Glock pistol, an extended magazine with 24 rounds of ammunition, and a Glock switch. A Glock switch enables a semi-automatic firearm to operate as a fully functioning machine gun. Pearson was apprehended by JSO canine officers.

At the time of the offense, Pearson had multiple prior felony convictions and therefore 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. It 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.