Convicted Felon Sentenced To Fifteen Years In Prison

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington has sentenced Gregory Brown (28, Tampa) to 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The Court also ordered him to forfeit a Smith & Wesson model SW40VE .40-caliber pistol and 14 rounds of ammunition traceable to the offense. Brown pleaded guilty on March 21, 2017.

According to court documents, on August 5, 2016, Tampa Police officers conducted a proactive check in the North Boulevard Homes in Tampa. As the officers arrived, they observed a male, later identified as Gregory Brown, start to run, reach into his waistband, and throw a loaded Smith and Wesson firearm behind a building. When interviewed, Brown admitted that the firearm belonged to him. Brown had previously been convicted of at least four felony offenses, including three drug trafficking offenses. As a result of these convictions, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachel K. Jones.

This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy. Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow, along with Daryl McCrary, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, are coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. It is also a part of ATF’s Frontline Strategy on reducing violent crime in communities.