U.S. District Judge Thomas Barber has sentenced James Wallace Mathis, Jr., a 44-year-old resident of Fort Myers, to five years in federal prison. Mathis was convicted for possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon and distributing controlled substances. He pleaded guilty on October 30, 2024.
Court records reveal that during July and August of 2024, Mathis engaged in multiple transactions involving the sale of drugs such as fentanyl and cocaine to both a law enforcement informant and an undercover ATF agent. In July 2024, he also sold a loaded Ruger handgun to an informant. As a repeat offender, Mathis is legally barred from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that unites various levels of law enforcement with communities to combat violent crime and gun violence. The Department launched an enhanced strategy for PSN on May 26, 2021, focusing on fostering community trust, supporting violence prevention organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement actions, and evaluating outcomes.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Fort Myers Police Department, and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Assistant United States Attorney Simon R. Eth prosecuted the case.