ORLANDO, Fla. – A man who was arrested after he fled from a crashed vehicle and his girlfriend was struck several times on I-4 is now facing federal prison time because of a gun found in the car.
Albert Ayala, 34, was already convicted on state misdemeanor charges of leaving the scene of a crash with property damage and driving with a suspended license, according to court records.
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However, Ayala on Monday pleaded guilty in federal court to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, and faces a maximum of 15 years in prison.
In January 2023, Ayala got into an argument with his girlfriend, Teqilla Shepherd, while driving on I-4 in Orlando. Ayala told police that at one point Shepherd jumped from the car and when Ayala tried to go back for her, he lost control and crashed on the Orange Blossom Trail exit ramp, then he ran away.
A witness corroborated Ayala’s story.
Federal prosecutors say, however, that Ayala left a gun and ammunition in the car when he fled. Since Ayala had 10 previous felony convictions, he is not allowed to have a gun.
Ayala is expected to be sentenced on Aug. 21.
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