A 51-year-old convicted murderer from Ocklawaha was indicted this week on charges of possessing a rifle and ammunition.
On Thursday, United States Attorney for the Middle District of Florida Roger B. Handberg announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Cody Richard Hawk with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a conviction felon.
If convicted, Hawk faces up to 15 years in federal prison.
According to the indictment, on October 9, 2022, Hawk possessed a Savage Arms rifle and Winchester ammunition. At that time, Hawk had five prior felony convictions, including second-degree murder with a firearm, statutory rape, possession of a handgun by a felon, failure to comply with registration law, and possession of methamphetamine.
As a convicted felon, Hawk is prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition under federal law.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law. Every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.