Convicted Felon Gets 15 Years For Firearm Possession

May 24, 2017

An Escambia County man is headed to prison as a habitual offender.

Circuit Judge Thomas Dannheisser sentenced Kiara Sanders to 15 years in state prison as a habitual felony offender. Sanders pleaded no contest to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a short-barreled rifle, and driving with no valid driver’s license.

On August 13, 2016, a traffic stop was initiated by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office on a vehicle driven by Sanders. When the deputy approached the vehicle, he smelled a strong odor of marijuana. A K-9 arrived at the scene and gave a positive alert for the presence of narcotics. A search of  the vehicle was conducted which revealed a short-barreled rifle in the console. Sanders admitted that he did not have a valid driver’s license and that he was a convicted felon.

Kiara Sanders was deemed to be a habitual felony offender based on his prior criminal history which includes convictions for burglary, theft, trafficking in stolen property, false information to a pawnbroker, criminal mischief, battery upon a jail detainee, robbery without a weapon, possession of marijuana, violation of probation, and driving while license suspended.

He was most recently released from state prison in 2014.

Comments

4 Responses to “Convicted Felon Gets 15 Years For Firearm Possession”

  1. john on June 3rd, 2017 2:31 am

    Why can’t felons own guns, they have paid their debts to society.

  2. mick on May 26th, 2017 9:25 am

    Habitual felony offender – you think this one is going to change his ways? don’t count on it . If 15 years was all the law allowed the law needs to be changed. It’s not enough. Thanks to all involved on getting this one behind bars.

  3. David Huie Green on May 25th, 2017 12:17 pm

    CONSIDERING:
    “as a habitual felony offender. Sanders pleaded no contest to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a short-barreled rifle”

    Remember the main purpose of a firearm is to kill someone if necessary. For a habitual criminal, necessity is most likely to arise out of criminal activity.

    For the rest, a firearm is most likely to be needed against armed criminals like him.

    David for being prepared

  4. Elmo on May 24th, 2017 10:33 am

    A big THANK YOU goes out to the ECSOfficer that was vigilant and pulled this guy over!! The officer probably saved someone’s life by risking his own life dealing with this career criminal…..
    Thank you so much Sir, Ma’am!!

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News