Tampa Felon Washington Gets 15 Years for Gun Possession

TAMPA, FL – Timothy Dale Washington, II, 33, of Tampa, is heading to federal prison for 15 years after a federal judge slammed him for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew delivered the sentence today, along with an order for Washington to forfeit the weapon used in the commission of the crime. Washington initially pleaded guilty back on September 12, 2016 – a full seven years before this sentencing finally came down.

The bust went down on January 24, 2016, when Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies were executing an outstanding arrest warrant at a Tampa apartment complex. According to court documents, Washington didn’t cooperate. As deputies announced their presence, Washington allegedly pulled a pistol from his pants, ditched it, and made a run for it. He didn’t get far. Deputies quickly apprehended him.

This wasn’t Washington’s first rodeo with the law. Court records show a lengthy history of prior felony convictions, including multiple violent offenses and serious drug crimes. That history is precisely what prohibited him from legally owning a firearm or ammunition under federal law – a fact he apparently disregarded. The feds weren’t buying it.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), alongside the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, spearheaded the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Taylor G. Stout successfully prosecuted the case, building a solid case against the repeat offender. This wasn’t a plea bargain; Washington admitted guilt.

Federal officials are framing this case as a win for “Project Safe Neighborhoods,” a Department of Justice initiative aimed at reducing gun violence nationwide. U.S. Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III, and ATF Special Agent in Charge Daryl R. McCrary are coordinating the program within the Middle District of Florida, working with a network of federal, state, and local law enforcement.

Washington’s 15-year sentence serves as a stark reminder that possessing a firearm while being a convicted felon carries serious consequences. While the legal process took years, the message is clear: criminals with guns will face the full weight of the law. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the effectiveness of Project Safe Neighborhoods in the Tampa area.