A Bradenton man, previously convicted for felony, is now sentenced to federal prison for a duration surpassing eight years. U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has handed down an eight years and nine months sentence to Star Stewart, aged 39, for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition. The trial, which led to Stewart's conviction, concluded with a bench decision on November 20, 2023, as reported by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida.
During the trial, evidence unveiled how on November 4, 2020, officers from the U.S. Marshals Service Florida Regional Task Force went to arrest Stewart under a state warrant. Spotted on the back patio, Stewart attempted to quickly escape indoors but was apprehended immediately after. Authorities found a Glock 19 with an extended magazine containing 33 bullets where Stewart was initially sitting. "Stewart later admitted that he had possessed the firearm," as per court documents. By law, Stewart's prior convictions bar him from maintaining ownership of firearms or ammunition.
Several law enforcement bodies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the Sarasota Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service, conducted the investigation leading to Stewart's verdict. The case saw prosecution by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael R. Kenneth and Charlie D. Connally, with Assistant United States Attorney James A. Muench handling forfeiture matters.
This case is a part of the wider Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), reflecting a collective resolve to certainly reduce violent crime and gun violence. The PSN strategy, enhanced since May 26, 2021, aims to foster community trust, support local organizations in violence prevention, establish targeted enforcement priorities, and critically assess the outcomes of these initiatives.
