Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that William Roger Clayton (41, Arcadia) has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Clayton faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison.

According to court documents, on July 28, 2022, Clayton directed an ATF agent, acting in an undercover capacity, to meet him in Arcadia where Clayton offered several firearms for sale, including a Ruger Mini-14 .223 caliber rifle, a Mauser 6.5 caliber rifle, a VZ24 6.5 caliber rifle, a Tokarev 7.62mm caliber pistol, and a Romarm-Cugir 7.62mm pistol. Clayton advised that he could also facilitate the sale of silencers as well as “ghost guns,” which are privately manufactured and untraceable firearms. At the time, Clayton had multiple prior felony convictions including grand theft, grand theft of a motor vehicle, trafficking in stolen property, possession of a place for the purpose of trafficking, fleeing and eluding a law enforcement officer, and robbery. As a convicted felon he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David W.A. Chee and Michael J. Buchanan.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.