Ocala Convicted Felon Indicted For Illegal Possession Of A Firearm And Ammunition

Ocala, Florida - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Alan Ellis Gillespie, Jr. (31, Ocala) with possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. If convicted, Gillespie faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. Gillespie is currently detained pending the resolution of the criminal case.

According to the indictment and evidence presented in court, on August 27, 2024, a deputy from the Marion County Sheriff's Office attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle. Gillespie exited that vehicle through the passenger door and fled on foot. During the chase, Gillespie threw a backpack on the ground. Once Gillespie was apprehended, a search of his backpack revealed an AK-47 style pistol loaded with 30 rounds of ammunition. At the time, Gillespie had previous state felony convictions for battery - prior offense, carrying a concealed firearm, and possession of cannabis more than 20 grams. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Sarah Janette Swartzberg.

This case is part of the 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 for occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.