Jacksonville, FL — A Jacksonville man will spend the next 17 and a half years in federal prison, after what started as complaints about drug sales.
That's the sentence handed down to Michael Holmes, 53, after he was convicted of illegal possession of multiple firearms by a convicted felon and possession with intent to distribute cocaine and cocaine base.
The convictions stem from a incident in late 2013.
According to the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, detectives were questioning Holmes at home on December 29, 2013, after receiving complaints about drug sales.
When Holmes went inside to get his ID, detectives say they could smell fresh burning marijuana, prompting them to get a search warrant for the home.
Once inside, detectives found a gun safe containing 12 firearms, over 1,100 rounds of ammunition, high-capacity magazines, a bulletproof vest, about $3,600 in cash, three digital scales, more than 49 grams or marijuana, 20 grams of cocaine base, and 29 grams of powder cocaine.
When asked by detectives how he got the guns, Holmes allegedly replied, "I sell dope. People come. I buy."
Detectives say Holmes also admitted that when he went inside the home to grab his ID, he attempted to open up his gun safe. He claims if he had been able to, he would have been able to "take... out" at least two detectives before making his escape.
Holmes has multiple, prior felony convictions, including drug sales.