State Attorney Ed Brodsky announced today that William Mark Colburn, Jr.was convicted of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon and Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Sell or Deliver in Case #2023CF010910NC and sentenced by Circuit Court Judge Donna Padar to six years in prison followed by two years of community control (Florida’s equivalent of house arrest) and three years of probation.  Colburn was on felony probation for a narcotics offense when he was caught trying to sell what officers described as a SKS AK-47 style Assault Rifle to another convicted felon on October 24, 2023.  These cases were investigated by the North Port Police Department. 

The crime of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon carries a minimum mandatory sentence of three years.

This case began when Probation Officer Tomas Shinall of the Florida Department of Corrections conducted a search and discovered evidence of a potential firearm sale.  Colburn and the buyer were discussing adding a “drum mag” to the firearm, which would give it a capacity of 50 to 75 rounds of ammunition.  Once it was determined that Colburn was the seller of the firearm, Shinall and Corporal Detective Brett Klein conducted a search of Colburn’s residence where they located the firearm from the photos along with other contraband.  This was a first-rate investigation by the North Port Police Department.

The lead prosecutor in the case, Assistant State Attorney Nicholas Lata commented,

“It was clear from his jail calls that the defendant felt he was only being prosecuted because of the stigma associated with these types of firearms.  This demonstrated his continued refusal to take responsibility for his own actions, despite him apologizing for these comments at sentencing.  Colburn, a six-time convicted felon with previous convictions for selling drugs and illegally possessing firearms, was selling firearms and drugs to another felon.  Nobody in Sarasota wants convicted felons and drug dealers having firearms.”

If you have any questions or would like further information please contact Assistant State Attorney Nicholas Lata in the Sarasota County office at 941-861-4400.