Marcos Daniel Jiménez, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Florida, and Julie Torres, Special Agent in Charge, United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, announced that defendant, Rodney Taylor, was sentenced today to a maximum term of life imprisonment by United States District Court Judge Daniel T. K. Hurley in West Palm Beach, Florida. During February 2004, a jury found Taylor guilty of both charges alleged in a two-count Indictment, which charged Taylor with being a felon in possession of a firearm, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(e), and a felon in possession of ammunition, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 922(g)(1) and 924(e).

This case stems from the investigation and arrest of Taylor by the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, West Palm Beach Police Department, and Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office in connection with the Project Safe Neighborhoods program (“PSN”). PSN is a partnership between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies designed to reduce armed crime.

Mr. Jiménez commended the investigative efforts of the United States Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, West Palm Beach Police Department, and Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Janice LeClainche.