An Ocala man with 20 prior felony convictions is facing life behind bars for a federal firearm offense.
On Tuesday, May 30, United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced the arrest of 53-year-old Craig Antwon O’Neal based on an indictment charging him with possession of a firearm as a convicted felon.
O’Neal faces a mandatory minimum term of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. He had been indicted on March 3, 2021.
According to the indictment, on July 20, 2020, O’Neal was in possession of a firearm. As a multi-convicted felon, O’Neal is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
O’Neal has a total of 20 prior state felony convictions that include strong-arm robbery, resisting arrest with violence, sale of cocaine, and burglary of a conveyance. Due to his extensive criminal record, he qualifies for a sentencing enhancement as an armed career criminal.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Unified Drug Enforcement Strike Team investigated this case, and it will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Belkis H. Crockett.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which is a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve in an effort to reduce violent crime and gun violence.