A Middleburg resident, Loranzia Outin, III, has pleaded guilty to possessing firearms as a convicted felon, according to United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg. The 48-year-old faces up to 15 years in federal prison, though a sentencing date has not been set.
The Clay County Sheriff's Office, alongside their SWAT team, executed a search warrant at Outin's residence on March 22, 2024. During the search, officers found a 9mm pistol and a .22 caliber revolver in Outin's room. With ten prior felony convictions for crimes including selling methamphetamine and possession of cocaine and weapons by a convicted felon, Outin is legally prohibited from possessing firearms under federal law.
The investigation was carried out by the Clay County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Brenna Falzetta is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by coordinating efforts among various levels of law enforcement and community groups. The Department launched an enhanced violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021, emphasizing trust-building in communities, supporting preventive community-based organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement actions, and evaluating outcomes.