Florida – Former track star Olivier Ricardy Alexandre has been sentenced to a lengthy 20-year prison term for serious firearms offenses, highlighting a stark departure from his past athletic endeavors to criminal activities involving firearms.
The sentencing took place on January 3, where U.S. District Court Judge David S. Leibowitz imposed an upward variance, extending Alexandre’s term by 105 months beyond the standard guideline range. Alexandre, 28, faced charges related to the possession of firearms and ammunition as a convicted felon, to which he had previously pled guilty, the Department of Justice said in a news release.
This stern punishment stems from a series of violent incidents. In less than a month after receiving probation for felony charges linked to marijuana trafficking in Warren County, Kentucky, Alexandre engaged in a shocking act of violence in Miami-Dade County. On March 13, 2023, he aggressively fired at least 18 rounds at a victim who was merely entering his home after work. This ruthless attempt did not result in physical injuries but the incident left psychological scars and raised serious safety concerns in the community.
The Miami-Dade Police Department was able to link the shell casings from this attack to Alexandre and connected them further to three previous shootings in the area, intensifying the gravity of his criminal actions. Notably, one of these linked incidents involved the same victim, indicating a targeted pattern of violence.
Read also: Macy’s is closing 66 underperforming stores across the nation. Several located in South Florida.
Adding to his week of recklessness, on March 21, 2023, Alexandre confronted a tow truck driver with a handgun equipped with an extended drum magazine. This confrontation occurred outside his residence while law enforcement was preparing to execute a search warrant. Alexandre’s prompt arrest followed this confrontation, providing a critical intervention that potentially thwarted further violence.
The investigation into Alexandre’s activities was a collaborative effort involving multiple agencies, including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), the Miami-Dade Police Department, and local law enforcement from Plantation and Broward County.
Read also: Broward County to host two free pet wellness clinics for vaccines and microchipping
This case is a part of the broader initiative, Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which aims to reduce gun violence and improve safety in communities across the United States. The project underscores the cooperative strategy between various levels of law enforcement and community organizations to prevent and respond to violent crimes effectively.
Read also: Tamarac celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy with a vibrant family-friendly festival
As Alexandre begins his lengthy sentence, this case serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences of engaging in violent criminal activities and the steadfast commitment of law enforcement to uphold safety and justice in our communities.
