Violent Fort Myers felon sent back to prison for possessing a stolen gun (DOJ)

Fort Myers, Florida - Angel Rey Rivera (35, Fort Myers) was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Kyle Dudek to five years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Rivera pleaded guilty on July 28, 2026. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.

According to court records, Rivera was captured on video throwing a stolen firearm into a trash can after fleeing from officers from the Fort Myers Police Department on Palm Beach Boulevard. Upon arrest, Rivera exclaimed, "I don't care about none of that. I already did 11 years. I'll go lay down again." Rivera had recently been released from the Tennessee Department of Corrections after serving nearly 11 years for multiple felony convictions, including two counts of attempted second-degree murder and attempted aggravated robbery.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Fort Myers Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Matthew Redavid.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) - the Department of Justice's nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys' offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department's commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump's Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.