Pulaski Times

George Tavis Marino, II, a multi-convicted felon from Cabot, has been sentenced to 200 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The announcement was made by Jonathan D. Ross, United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Arkansas. The sentence was delivered on November 13, 2024, by United States District Judge James M. Moody, Jr.

Marino was indicted on August 1, 2023, and pleaded guilty on March 21, 2024. In addition to his prison term, Judge Moody sentenced him to five years of supervised release.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted an investigation revealing that on May 13, 2022, an Arkansas State Police trooper stopped a silver Mazda at John Hardin Drive in Jacksonville due to illegally displayed white lights near the license plate. Marino was identified as the front passenger who reached under his seat as the trooper approached.

During the stop, both Marino and the driver denied being on probation or parole. When asked to exit the vehicle, Marino continued reaching under his seat despite instructions not to do so. He eventually exited through the open passenger window after repeated commands and fled after throwing a can of Sprite at the trooper.

A search revealed a Hi-Point model C9 pistol loaded with five rounds under Marino's seat. He was later apprehended in a Walmart parking lot in Jacksonville.

Marino is classified as an armed career criminal offender due to his extensive criminal history that includes 21 prior felony convictions for offenses such as first-degree terroristic threatening and aggravated assault on law enforcement officers. Consequently, he faced penalties ranging from not less than 15 years up to life imprisonment without parole in the federal system.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Erin O’Leary following an investigation by ATF.