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Wanted felon’s gun-peddling Instagram posts led deputies to his home, Florida cops say

A “wanted felon” unintentionally led Florida deputies right to his doorstep when he included the front of his house in Instagram posts created to sell guns, the Collier County Sheriff’s Office says.

The 19-year-old suspect was initially wanted on robbery and burglary charges, but now faces a weapon charge, the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

He was arrested at around 9 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 20, at a home in Immokalee, about 160 miles southeast of Tampa.

“A Collier County Sheriff’s Office investigation revealed (he) was selling firearms on Instagram. (He) posted photos and videos of himself holding firearms he was advertising,” the sheriff’s office said.

A “wanted felon” led deputies to his home in Immokalee, Florida, when he included his house in Instagram posts advertising stolen guns, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.
A “wanted felon” led deputies to his home in Immokalee, Florida, when he included his house in Instagram posts advertising stolen guns, according to the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. Street View image from May 2019. © 2022 Google

“Some of the pictures were taken outside his residence.”

At least one gun advertised for sale was stolen, officials said.

Detectives also found a loaded gun in the suspect’s home, which is against the law for convicted felons, officials said.

His charges include: robbery without a firearm or weapon; burglary of an unoccupied conveyance, and possession of firearm ammo or a concealed weapon by a convicted felon, jail records show.

It’s the second time this year the suspect has been arrested in Collier County, records show.

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This story was originally published December 22, 2022 at 6:09 AM with the headline "Wanted felon’s gun-peddling Instagram posts led deputies to his home, Florida cops say."

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Mark Price
The Charlotte Observer
Mark Price is a state reporter for The Charlotte Observer and McClatchy News outlets in North Carolina. He joined the network of newspapers in 1991 at The Charlotte Observer, covering beats including schools, crime, immigration, LGBTQ issues, homelessness and nonprofits. He graduated from the University of Memphis with majors in journalism and art history, and a minor in geology. 
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