JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A Ponte Vedra man has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for trafficking firearms, making false statements during firearm purchases and conspiring to distribute cocaine and other controlled substances.
U.S. District Judge Harvey E. Schlesinger sentenced Braden Huston Hobbs, 28, after he was convicted of conspiracy to traffic firearms, making a materially false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances, including 500 grams or more of cocaine, U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced.
According to court records, federal agents began investigating Hobbs after several firearms he had purchased were recovered during unrelated law enforcement investigations. Authorities said the weapons were found in the possession of drug dealers and a convicted felon…