United States of America v. Steven D. Merryday

Miami, Florida criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with Possessing Ammunition As A Convicted Felon

Armed Career Criminal Sentenced To 15 Years For Possessing Ammunition As A Convicted Felon

U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday sentenced Leon Williams (35, Clearwater) to 15 years in federal prison for possession of ammunition by a convicted felon under the Armed Career Criminal Act. The court also ordered Williams to forfeit a Taurus firearm, a Sig Sauer firearm, and assorted rounds of ammunition, which were possessed in connection with the offense. Williams pleaded guilty on July 25, 2024.



According to court documents, on January 3, 2024, officers from the Clearwater Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence in Clearwater where Williams resided with his co-defendant, Robert Pugh. The search warrant was obtained after a series of controlled purchases of cocaine from Williams. During the search, two loaded firearms – a Taurus handgun and a Sig Sauer handgun – were found in the residence. Approximately 60 grams of marijuana and 70 grams of cocaine were also found inside, along with digital scales and other paraphernalia for drug distribution. Additional rounds of ammunition were also found in Williams' bedroom. Williams admitted to ownership of the ammunition found in his bedroom and DNA evidence was later obtained connecting Williams to the Sig Sauer handgun.



Prior to the offense, Williams had been convicted of multiple felonies, including nine convictions for the sale of controlled substances. Therefore, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.



Robert Pugh was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison on September 18, 2024.



This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Clearwater Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.



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.