Convicted Felon Found Guilty of Drug and Weapons Charges in Case involving a Machine Gun and Grenade Launcher

Orlando, Florida — U.S. Attorney Robert E. O’Neill announces that a federal jury today found Daniel Martinez (29, Orlando) guilty of possession with intent to distribute marijuana and manufacture of marijuana, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Martinez faces a mandatory minimum of 30 years up to life in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 4, 2011. Martinez was indicted on February 2, 2011.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, Orlando Police officers executed a search warrant at Martinez’s house on September 29, 2010. Inside, officers found a marijuana growing operation with an estimated street value of over $90,000. Officers also found a loaded, fully automatic machine gun, a loaded handgun with extra loaded magazines, and a grenade launcher.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Orlando Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Vincent S. Chiu.

It is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” program – a nationwide, gun–violence reduction strategy led by the Bureau of ATF. United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill, along with Virginia O’Brien, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, is coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida, in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.