Description: Tampa, Florida criminal defense lawyer represented defendant charged with being an an Armed Career Criminal, guilty of possessing a firearm and ammunition as convicted felon.

Aunyis Cherry, age 57, of St. Petersburg, Florida, drove a vehicle with a counterfeit license plate in the area of 14th Street South in St. Petersburg. A uniformed detective from the St. Petersburg Police Department arrived to conduct a stop. Cherry fled from the car but was apprehended. The vehicle’s owner couldn’t be determined, and an inventory search revealed a fully loaded FN Herstal pistol. The jury heard testimony that Cherry’s DNA was located in three places on the firearm, including the handle and trigger. As a previously convicted felon, Cherry is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the St. Petersburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mike Gordon and Craig Gestring. The trial was conducted by Assistant United States Attorneys Samantha Beckman and Jim Preston.

Outcome: Defendant was found guilty by a jury. He faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, and up to life, in federal prison.

Plaintiff's Experts:

Defendant's Experts:

Comments: