James Richard Young, 40, of Lehigh Acres, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. This sentence will run concurrently to a
25-year minimum/mandatory sentence imposed on March 31st for one count of Trafficking in Illegal Drugs (28 Grams or More), after Young was found guilty following a two-day trial in Lee County. This additional sentence is for the second charge that was severed at trial in that case.
On October 21, 2018, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office was called about a suspicious person outside of a residential building in Fort Myers. A deputy responded and made contact with the defendant who claimed people were hiding outside of his apartment building with rifles. No one was found.
While in the apartment, the deputy saw a short-barreled shotgun laying on the floor and what appeared to be drug residue on a table. He ran a criminal background check on Young and found he was a convicted felon and was not allowed to possess a firearm. A search warrant was obtained and more than 50 grams of heroin was found in a microwave. Young admitted the drugs were his and he was arrested.
Assistant State Attorney Steven Vitale and Assistant State Attorney Kenneth Erickson prosecuted the case.
Samantha Syoen, Communications Director
239-533-1125
ssyoen@sao.cjis20.org