Former Jacksonville felon facing life in prison over gun possession

JACKSONVILLE — A Jacksonville man is facing the possibility of life in federal prison after being guilty of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

The Department of Justice said Ronnie Jerome Jones, 39, has a string of former felony convictions and therefore qualifies for an increased penalty under the Armed Career Criminal Act.

According to evidence and testimony presented at trial, Jones sold a .45 caliber handgun to a pawn shop in Jacksonville. At the time of his arrest, Jones had been out of prison less than 9 months.

His sentencing hearing is scheduled for July 19, 2021. The mandatory minimum penalty Jones can receive is 15 years, according to court documents.

This case is also part of Project Guardian, the Department of Justice’s signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws.

For more information on Project Guardian visit www.justice.gov/projectguardian.

Cox Media Group