St. Petersburg Man Sentenced To 15 Years For Possessing Firearm

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew today sentenced Latellis Everette (41, St. Petersburg) to 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. He pleaded guilty on November 12, 2015. 

According to court documents, Everette stole a loaded pistol from behind the counter of a local convenience store. He was later identified after being recognized on the store’s surveillance system. Everette has at least 12 prior felony convictions, including the sale of cocaine, armed robbery, and aggravated battery. As such, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the St. Petersburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Michael V. Leeman.

This is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy.  United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III, along with Regina Lombardo, 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.