Source: United States Attorneys General
Headline: Sarasota Man Sentenced To Six Years In Federal Prison For Firearms Offense
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew today sentenced Edrick McCary (25, Sarasota) to six years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He pleaded guilty on October 31, 2017.
According to court documents, McCary and two of his associates traveled to a Walmart parking lot to rob a person who was scheduled to arrive with drugs that had been paid for in advance. Police, acting on information, arrived in the parking lot and approached McCary and his associates’ car. Police found three firearms in the car, including a Glock 9mm handgun and a Ruger 9mm handgun with a high-capacity magazine. McCary had previously been convicted twice in Florida for possession of cocaine. As a result of his convictions, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Murray.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In October 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to develop districtwide crime reduction strategies, incorporating the lessons learned since the program’s inception in 2001. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.