U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe has announced the unsealing of an indictment charging Braden Huston Hobbs, 27, of Ponte Vedra with conspiracy to traffic firearms, conspiracy to deal firearms without a license, dealing firearms without a license, making a materially false statement to a licensed firearms dealer, conspiracy to distribute controlled substances — including 500 grams or more of cocaine, and possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
If convicted, Hobbs faces a minimum sentence of five years, up to 95 years, in federal prison.
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 is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Internal Revenue Service — Criminal Investigation, the U.S. Secret Service, the North Florida HIDTA Tri-County Narcotics Task Force with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office.
It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Elisibeth Adams.
