The 12th Circuit state attorney’s office dropped a charge against a felon accused of possessing a short-barreled shotgun due to lack of evidence.
Short-barreled shotguns are illegal, as is possession of any firearm by a felon.
The prosecution filed a formal charge against Joshua Kokko of Bradenton in September 2018 but decided not to prosecute in December 2018.
Holmes Beach police arrested Kokko, a felon convicted of crimes in multiple states, after he drove to the Manatee Public Beach parking lot with three other people in July 2018.
Police observed the foursome drinking beer in and around a Volkswagen Beetle, searched the vehicle and found the loaded short-barreled shotgun wrapped in a shirt under the driver’s seat, according to a police report.
Kokko acknowledged the shirt belonged to him, but said he had no knowledge of a gun in the vehicle, according to the state’s memo.
During the state investigation, witnesses told prosecutors they did not see Kokko with the firearm.
“The firearm was not photographed in the position it was found with the shirt,” disadvantaging the state in proving the charge, the memo stated.
If the cops were good at what they’re suppose to do an would of been more professional they would of found the owner of the gun…. I only beat it cause i wasn’t guilty