Previously Convicted Felon from Fort Myers Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Charge

Fort Myers, Florida - Jose Manuel Caraballo-Torres (39, Fort Myers) has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. He faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. The sentencing is set for May 22, 2026. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court documents, on September 27, 2025, Caraballo-Torres was a passenger in a vehicle stopped for speeding by the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. Based on an odor of marijuana emitting from the vehicle and the lack of a medical marijuana card, the deputy removed the passengers, one by one, and conducted a pat down for the deputy's safety. During the pat down of Caraballo-Torres, the deputy located a loaded Ruger LCP .380 caliber pistol on Caraballo-Torres's person. This firearm had been reported stolen out of Orlando. As a previously convicted felon, Caraballo-Torres is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Patrick L. Darcey.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).