Anthony Tyrone Mackey, a 41-year-old Jacksonville resident with seven prior felony convictions, has been handed a seven-year federal prison sentence for illegal possession of firearms. The sentence follows a jury's finding of guilt on August 27, as reported by the U.S Attorney's Office.
Mackey's encounter with law enforcement occurred following a traffic stop for driving on the wrong side of the road, on March 29, 2023. During the stop, which left Mackey the sole occupant of the vehicle, a search yielded cocaine and methamphetamine on the front passenger seat, and firearms were discovered including a 12-gauge shotgun and a .25 caliber pistol, according to court documents shared by the U.S Attorney's Office.
Further complicating Mackey's legal troubles, a DNA analysis matched his DNA to the shotgun and its magazine. His criminal record includes convictions for possession of a short-barreled shotgun and firearms by a convicted felon, along with other serious charges—making it illegal for him to possess either firearms or ammunition.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, in partnership with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, conducted an investigation into the case, following which Assistant United States Attorneys John Cannizzaro and Brenna Falzetta prosecuted the case. This case highlights the ongoing efforts of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aiming to bridge the gap between all levels of law enforcement and community engagement to curtail violent crime and gun violence, ensuring neighborhood safety.
