A 35-year-old convicted felon from Orlando who was caught with several pistols and ammunition in his possession will spend a decade behind bars.
On Wednesday, April 10, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida announced that Robert Lee Pringle has been sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for possessing firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon. In addition, the court ordered him to forfeit the firearms and ammunition that were used in the offense.
Pringle entered a guilty plea on January 16, 2024.
According to court records, on May 3, 2022, an Orlando Police Department officer attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a vehicle that had been reported as stolen. The driver, Pringle, fled from the officer at a high rate of speed.
Pringle later crashed into another vehicle, and he attempted to flee on foot before being detained by law enforcement.
During a search of the vehicle Pringle was driving, officers found two pistols and ammunition on the front passenger floorboard. A backpack was also located in the same area, and it contained paperwork and prescription bottles with Pringle’s name, suspected narcotics, digital scales, sandwich baggies, and additional ammunition.
Pringle was placed under arrest. A criminal history search revealed that he had multiple prior felony convictions, which included carrying a concealed firearm, robbery, burglary of a conveyance, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, third-degree grand theft, and fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer.
As a previously convicted felon, Pringle is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
The Orlando Police Department investigated this case with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve in an effort to reduce violent crime and gun violence.