Skip to main content
Press Release

Clearwater Armed Career Criminal Sentenced To More Than 15 Years In Federal Prison

For Immediate Release
U.S. Attorney's Office, Middle District of Florida

Tampa, Florida - U.S. District Judge James S. Moody, Jr. sentenced Michael Anthony Moody (28, Clearwater) yesterday to 15 years and nine months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Moody was sentenced under the Armed Career Criminal Act because of his extensive criminal history. Moody pleaded guilty in October 2012.

According to court documents, on May 8, 2012, Pinellas County Sheriff's Office deputies stopped Moody for a vehicle window tint violation. As deputies approached the vehicle, Moody tried to destroy a marijuana joint that he was smoking. During a search of Moody's vehicle, officers found a loaded Hi-Point 9mm semi-automatic handgun, with an attached laser and pressure switch attached to the grip. At the time of his arrest, Moody had eighteen prior felony convictions dating back to age sixteen, including multiple violent crime and narcotics offenses. As a previously convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Josephine W. Thomas.

It is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy led by ATF. United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill, along with Julie Torres, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, is coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

Updated January 26, 2015