Tampa Man Pleads Guilty To Possessing A Firearm Near A School Zone

Tampa, Florida – Jauwan Smith (22, Tampa) has pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm near a school zone. Smith faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison. His sentencing date is not yet scheduled.

According to the facts presented at the plea hearing, Tampa Police officers observed Smith walking near Chelsea and 25^th Street North in Tampa on the evening of March 6, 2018. When they approached Smith and engaged him in conversation, Smith admitted that he was armed with a gun. Officers then found a CZ model 7.56mm caliber pistol, loaded with seven rounds of ammunition, in Smith’s waistband. Smith possessed the loaded firearm within 1,000 feet of the grounds of the Charles J. Ferrell Middle Magnet School, a public middle school for girls in Hillsborough County, Florida.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tampa Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jay L. Hoffer.