U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber has sentenced Marquis Lamar Kitchen, a 38-year-old resident of Fort Myers, to two years and three months in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. In addition to the prison sentence, Kitchen was ordered to forfeit the firearm and ammunition involved in the offense. Kitchen had pleaded guilty on September 18, 2024.
The incident occurred on March 21, 2024, when officers from the Fort Myers Police Department initiated a traffic stop after observing a vehicle moving erratically. The vehicle eventually came to a halt after slow rolling for several blocks. Officers observed an individual switch seats within the car before stopping it completely. Upon asking the occupants to exit the vehicle, they identified Kitchen sitting in the passenger seat.
During this process, an officer noticed a pistol partially visible on the driver’s side floorboard under the seat. DNA analysis later linked Kitchen to specific parts of the pistol including its trigger and loading port. As a previously convicted felon, Kitchen was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
The investigation was conducted by both the Fort Myers Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Mark Morgan prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The program emphasizes trust-building within communities, supporting organizations that prevent violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.