A federal jury in Fort Myers has convicted Myles Andrew Strickland, 36, of Bartow, on charges related to assaulting a federal officer with a firearm. Strickland was found guilty of assaulting a federal officer with a deadly or dangerous weapon, using and discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He faces up to life in federal prison. The sentencing date has not been set.
Evidence presented at trial showed that Strickland was wanted on a state arrest warrant from Polk County and was considered a fugitive. A U.S. Marshals Service task force located him in Lee County. When officers attempted to apprehend him, Strickland fled on foot. During the pursuit, he turned toward a Deputy U.S. Marshal and racked the slide of his firearm while it was inside his jacket, preparing it to fire. Law enforcement then shot Strickland. Investigators recovered evidence indicating that Strickland had discharged his weapon during the incident.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney Benjamin S. Winter is prosecuting the case.
According to U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe, “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.” The operation coordinates efforts through programs such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
