A convicted felon from Kissimmee who sold fentanyl to an undercover agent in 2022 will spend at least 15 years behind bars after pleading guilty to possessing several firearms and ammunition.
On Monday, U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg of the Middle District of Florida announced that 41-year-old Edward Charlesalton Chappell has pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
According to the plea agreement, on July 13, 2022, a search warrant was executed at a hotel room occupied by Chappell after he sold fentanyl to an undercover agent. During the search, law enforcement officers located cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other drugs, along with “drug processing materials.”
In addition, a Glock pistol, Ruger pistol, and 9mm caliber ammunition were recovered during the search of Chappell’s hotel room.
At the time that Chappell was in possession of the firearms and ammunition, he had previously been convicted of multiple felonies, including four convictions for delivery of cocaine and a single conviction for possession of cocaine with intent to sell or deliver.
Chappell is a multi-time convicted felon and is therefore prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
As part of his plea agreement, Chappell has agreed to forfeit the pistols and ammunition that he unlawfully possessed.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Osceola County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Megan Testerman.
A sentencing hearing for Chappell is scheduled to take place on September 17, 2024. He is facing a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison under the Armed Career Criminal Act.