North Fort Myers Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing and Manufacturing Firearms

Fort Myers, Florida - Frederick Kutchinsky (54, North Fort Myers) has been sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kyle C. Dudek to five years and three months in federal prison possessing firearms as a convicted felon. Kutchinsky pleaded guilty on February 25, 2026. The court also ordered Kutchinsky to forfeit the firearms and ammunition possessed during the offense. U.S Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court documents, deputies from the Lee County Sheriff's Office responded to Kutchinsky's home in North Fort Myers because he had an active felony arrest warrant. After serving the arrest warrant and obtaining a search warrant for Kutchinsky's residence, deputies located more than 50 firearms and hundreds of rounds of ammunition. They also located a work bench with firearm parts and tools for modifying firearms. Kutchinsky is a convicted felon, and therefore, prohibited under federal law from possessing firearms and ammunition.

This case was investigated by the Lee County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Mark Morgan and Patrick Darcey.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), the Department of Justice's nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys' offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department's commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump's Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.