Jacksonville, Florida –United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Shawntae Jamell Clark (41, Clay County) with possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, possession of two firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. If convicted on all counts, Clark faces a minimum mandatory term of 15 years, and up to life, in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Clark that the United States intends to forfeit two firearms and ammunition, which are alleged to be traceable to his offenses. Clark is detained pending a detention hearing scheduled for July 11, 2022.
According to the indictment, on July 2, 2021, Clark was in possession of 50 grams or more of pure/actual methamphetamine while also in possession of two firearms and ammunition. At the time of the incident, Clark had previous felony convictions for armed robbery, attempted lewd or lascivious act – sexual battery, and multiple convictions for possession of cocaine. As a previously convicted felon, Clark is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein. The forfeiture will be handled by Assistant United States Attorney Mai Tran.
This case is being prosecuted as part of the joint federal, state, and local Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) Program, the centerpiece of the Department of Justice’s violent crime reduction efforts. PSN is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.