Armed Career Offender Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison

MIAMI – On Jan. 12, Ernell Shaw, 47, of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Roy K. Altman, following his conviction at trial for unlawfully possessing a firearm and ammunition as an Armed Career Criminal.  Upon his release from custody, Shaw was also ordered to serve three years of supervised release.

On March 8, 2022, detectives from the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO) Crime Suppression Team and Violence Intervention Proactive Enforcement Response (V.I.P.E.R.) Unit observed the defendant driving a vehicle in Lauderhill, Florida.  The vehicle was stopped because of numerous traffic violations and Shaw, once ordered out of the vehicle, was found in possession of a previously stolen and loaded Sig Sauer .380 caliber firearm, a loaded spare magazine, and narcotics.

According to the court record, Shaw has an extensive criminal history including twenty-eight prior arrests, and nine criminal convictions including three prior armed robbery with a firearm convictions, an aggravated battery with a firearm conviction, and multiple other violent crime convictions.

U.S. Attorney Markenzy Lapointe for the Southern District of Florida, Special Agent in Charge Christopher A. Robinson of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Miami Field Division, and BSO Sheriff Gregory Tony, announced the sentences imposed.  

ATF Fort Lauderdale Field Office and BSO investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Marc Anton prosecuted it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Darren Grove is handling asset forfeiture.

This case stems from Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that brings together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.  In 2017, PSN was reinvigorated as part of the Department’s renewed focus on targeting violent criminals, directing all U.S. Attorney’s Offices to work in partnership with federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement, and the community, to develop effective, locally based strategies to reduce violent crime.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.gov or on http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.gov under case number 23-CR-60021-Altman.

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