U.S. District Judge Thomas Barber has sentenced Carl Samuel Thompson, Jr., a 60-year-old resident of Fort Myers, to 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a previously convicted felon. Thompson's extensive criminal history, which includes at least three convictions for violent felonies, qualified him for enhanced sentencing under the Armed Career Criminal Act. He entered a guilty plea on October 30, 2024.
Court records indicate that on April 7, 2024, deputies from the Lee County Sheriff’s Office pulled over a vehicle driven by Thompson in North Fort Myers due to a traffic infraction. During the stop, deputies found that Thompson's front seat passenger was concealing a loaded firearm. Further investigation revealed that Thompson had provided the firearm to his passenger to hide after realizing he was being stopped by law enforcement. As someone with more than ten prior felony convictions, federal law prohibits Thompson from possessing firearms or ammunition.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative that unites various levels of law enforcement and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence while making neighborhoods safer. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a strategy to reduce violent crime by strengthening PSN through core principles such as fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based organizations that prevent violence before it occurs, setting focused enforcement priorities strategically, and measuring results.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Simon R. Eth.