A Fort Myers man with a history of drug convictions has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm.
JD Irons, Jr., 37, pleaded guilty to the charge in July 2024. The charges stemmed from an incident in December 2023 when Irons fled from Fort Myers Police officers during a traffic stop. He was later found hiding in a nearby apartment, and a loaded handgun was discovered in the glove compartment of the vehicle. Forensic evidence linked Irons to the firearm.
Federal law prohibits convicted felons from possessing firearms or ammunition. Irons’ extensive criminal record, which includes multiple prison sentences for drug offenses involving cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl, qualified him for enhanced sentencing under the Armed Career Criminal Act.
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This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through community partnerships and strategic enforcement efforts.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fort Myers Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Simon R. Eth prosecuted the case.
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