A six-time felon who was driving on a suspended license with a semi-automatic rifle and an explosive device in his car was arrested Thursday night by Marion County sheriff’s deputies.
Deputies were called to back up a sergeant who had stopped 35-year-old Ernest Amos Oliver, of Ocala, near the intersection of NE 49th Street and NE Jacksonville Road. The sergeant had already identified Oliver as the driver of the 1999 Green Dodge pickup truck and knew that his license was suspended indefinitely on July 2 for failure to pay child support.
After Oliver was placed under arrest, deputies found a blue duffle bag on the floorboard of the passenger side of his car that contained a black semi-automatic rifle, two ski masks (one red and the other black), eight sets of Zip Ties formed in the shape of hand restraints, a black long-sleeve shirt, a black short-sleeve shirt, a small explosive device with a short fuse labeled CP1202, a black carry pouch, a black 50-round-capacity drum/magazine, two rolls of black tape and one separate round of 9 mm ammunition.
Deputies identified the rifle as a Calico Liberty III with a 100-round-capacity drum attached. The gun also had a Streamlight TLR-1 weapon light attached, along with a black sling, the report says, adding that two prescription bottles belonging to someone else also were found in the side pocket of the duffle bag.
Another check of Oliver’s license showed that he had three prior driving while license suspended/revoked convictions from Nov. 14, 2011; Oct. 25, 2005 and Dec. 10, 2003. A criminal background check showed that he had been convicted of six felonies, including possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of cocaine with intent to sell or deliver, carrying a concealed firearm, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without intent to kill and fleeing and eluding law enforcement.
After refusing to speak with deputies and denying ownership of the weapon, Oliver was transported to the Marion County Jail and charged with possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon, driving while license suspended (third or subsequent offense), carrying a concealed unlicensed firearm and use/display of a firearm during a felony. A charge of lewd or lascivious battery on a juvenile also was added on from a prior case.
Oliver, who lives at 3333 NE 49th Ct. in Ocala, was being held on $140,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in court Aug. 28 at 9 a.m. to answer to the charges.
