Crime & SafetyFlorida

Convicted felon in Brevard County receives 14-year sentence for possessing firearms and unregistered silencers

Cocoa, Florida – Dana Hunter Calley, a 54-year-old resident of Cocoa, Florida, has been sentenced to 14 years in federal prison following his conviction on multiple firearms charges. U.S. District Judge Roy B. Dalton, Jr. handed down the sentence.

Calley faced serious charges, including possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon and possession of unregistered silencers. A federal jury found him guilty of these charges on June 10, 2024, underscoring the seriousness of his offenses.

Persistent Law Enforcement Efforts

The case against Calley stemmed from meticulous investigative work by law enforcement agencies. Evidence presented at the trial revealed that on September 20, 2023, authorities executed a search warrant at Calley’s home. During this initial raid, officers seized an alarming array of weaponry, including four firearms, three silencers, and thousands of rounds of ammunition. The discovery highlighted not only the scale of Calley’s illegal activities but also the potential threat posed to community safety.

Further investigations led to a second search warrant being executed on April 5, 2024. This subsequent search unearthed six more silencers in various stages of production, indicating ongoing illegal activities despite previous law enforcement interventions. Given Calley’s status as a convicted felon, his possession of these items represented a clear violation of federal law, which strictly prohibits felons from owning firearms or ammunition.

The case was diligently prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Diane Hu and Special Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Del Mastro. Their efforts were instrumental in securing the conviction and subsequent sentencing, reflecting the commitment of the U.S. Attorney’s Office to uphold law and order.

A Part of a Larger Initiative

This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative that aims to bring together law enforcement agencies and communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence. Launched on May 26, 2021, the Department of Justice’s strategy for PSN emphasizes fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting preventative measures through community-based organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and rigorously measuring outcomes to ensure effectiveness.

Alfred Duncan

Alfred Duncan is a senior editor at The South Florida Daily, where he oversees our coverage of politics, misinformation, health and economics. Alfred is a former reporter and editor for BuzzFeed News, National Geographic and USA Today.

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