United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida
11/19/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/19/2024 14:12
Tampa Man Indicted For Possessing Firearm And Ammunition As A Convicted Felon
Tampa, Florida - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Shannon Pernell Brown (39, Tampa) with possessing a firearm or ammunition as a convicted felon. If convicted, Brown faces a minimum penalty of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison under the Armed Career Criminal Act. The indictment also notifies Brown that the United States intends to forfeit a Glock firearm and ammunition used in the commission of the offense.
According to the indictment, on August 31, 2024, Brown was in possession of a Glock firearm and ammunition. Prior to possessing the firearm and ammunition, Brown had previously been convicted of multiple felonies, including conspiracy to traffic in cocaine, trafficking in cocaine, and possession of cocaine with intent to sell or deliver.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case is part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence for occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tampa Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.