Armed Career Criminal Pleads Guilty To Illegally Possessing A Firearm

Jacksonville, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Otis Shivers (50, Jacksonville) has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Shivers faces a minimum sentence of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, in October 2021, officers from the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office encountered Shivers outside a motel in Jacksonville where he was acting in a strange manner. The officers approached Shivers to check on his situation. When Shivers saw the officers, he immediately raised his arms. The officers observed a revolver in his waist band, took Shivers into custody, and seized the loaded revolver. A criminal record check revealed that Shivers had five prior felony convictions, including four that involved the sale of cocaine or heroin. As such, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Talbot.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.