Tampa Man Indicted For Distribution Of Cocaine, Possessing AK-47 Pistol, Silencer, Cocaine, And Machinegun Switch

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Joshua Black (38, Tampa) with several counts of distribution of cocaine, possession of firearms after having been convicted of a felony offense, and possession of an unregistered silencer and machinegun switch. If convicted of all counts, Black faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison.

According to the indictment and criminal complaint, between February and March 2024, Black distributed cocaine from a residence in Tampa. On April 10, 2024, law enforcement officers with the Tampa Police Department executed a search warrant at the residence. In Black’s bedroom, law enforcement found a 9 mm “Freedom Ordinance” pistol, a “Zastava Arms” AK-47 pistol, a ballistic vest, a silencer, a machinegun switch which had the ability to convert firearms into machineguns, and various items indicative of drug trafficking, including glass bowls and plates containing crack cocaine, individually wrapped marijuana bags, crack cocaine, two digital scales, and $30,000 in cash hidden inside a hollowed out book.