Florida Man Sentenced to 11 Years for Gun Possession, Skipping Federal Prison

A Florida man has been sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition, along with failing to report to federal authorities to serve a prior sentence. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida announced the sentence on March 28.

A History of Federal Firearm Offenses

Joseph John Pyrzyk, 29, from Florida, had a history of federal firearms violations. In 2021, he was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Pyrzyk pleaded guilty to the charges and, on June 30, 2022, was sentenced to two years in federal prison. However, Pyrzyk’s legal troubles didn’t end with this conviction. He was ordered to report to federal custody by August 29, 2022, to begin serving his sentence, but he failed to do so. His failure to appear prompted a federal arrest warrant.

Pyrzyk’s Arrest and Discovery of Illegal Firearm

In January 2023, U.S. officers tracked Pyrzyk to a residence in West Palm Beach. During the operation, officers observed marijuana inside a vehicle parked in the driveway. Upon further investigation, a Glock Model 17 9mm pistol was found under the driver’s seat of the vehicle. Following the discovery, agents obtained a search warrant and recovered the loaded firearm, which contained 13 rounds of ammunition. Pyrzyk was arrested at the scene and faced additional charges for possessing the gun and ammunition, in addition to his failure to report to prison.

A Lengthy Federal Sentence

Pyrzyk had already served the two-year sentence for his initial conviction, but the new charges brought additional consequences. On March 28, he was sentenced to 11 years in federal prison for his illegal firearm possession and failure to comply with his previous sentencing order. Now, Pyrzyk will begin serving this new 11-year sentence. His continued criminal activity has significantly extended his time behind bars, further compounding his legal troubles. This case highlights the severity of federal firearm offenses and the consequences of failing to comply with court-ordered sentences.