Phelps Found Guilty of Possessing Firearm as a Convicted Felon

State Attorney Melissa Nelson today announces that Reginald Lavon Phelps, of Jacksonville, was found guilty by a jury of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. Phelps now faces a maximum of 30 years in Florida State Prison as a Habitual Felony Offender. The Honorable Mark Borello will set a sentencing hearing for Phelps the week of March 22, 2021.

On Aug. 8, 2019, Phelps was the passenger in a vehicle driving in the area of Kings and W. Beaver streets that was pulled over due to a traffic violation. Upon contact with the driver, members of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office smelled the strong odor of marijuana coming from inside. The driver of the vehicle indicated Phelps was armed and a search of the vehicle revealed a loaded, stolen firearm with a live round in the chamber under the passenger-side seat. Phelps’ DNA was on the gun and, as a multiple-time convicted felon, he is not lawfully allowed to possess a firearm.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Matthew Silverstein and Hobbs Crockett.