A convicted felon from Leesburg, Florida, has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for possessing a firearm, a crime he knew was off-limits to him.
U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber handed down the sentence to Tyran Terrell Harris, 24, on February 7, 2024, after the defendant pleaded guilty to the charge.
According to court records, Harris has a history of state felony convictions, including grand theft, tampering with a witness, and grand theft auto. On September 25, 2023, officers from the Leesburg Police Department spotted Harris walking around an apartment complex with a loaded firearm.
The officers, aware of Harris’s previous interactions with them, recognized that he was a convicted felon and took possession of the firearm. A background check revealed that the gun had been stolen approximately two weeks earlier. Harris admitted to the officers that he knew he couldn’t possess the firearm as a convicted felon.
The federal investigation into Harris’s activities was led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Leesburg Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk prosecuted the case.
This case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) initiative, which brings together law enforcement and community organizations to reduce violent crime and gun violence. The program is based on the principles of fostering trust, supporting community-based organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring results.
The PSN program has been instrumental in reducing violent crime in many communities across the country. By targeting high-crime areas and working closely with local law enforcement, the program aims to make neighborhoods safer for everyone.
Harris’s conviction and sentence serve as a reminder of the consequences of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The Department of Justice will continue to aggressively prosecute cases like this to keep communities safe.
The sentence of two years in federal prison for Harris is a significant one, given the gravity of the offense. It sends a strong message that possessing a firearm as a convicted felon will not be tolerated.
As the Department of Justice continues to work towards reducing violent crime and gun violence, cases like Harris’s will remain a key focus area.
The Leesburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives deserve credit for their tireless efforts in investigating and prosecuting this case. Their dedication to keeping communities safe is unwavering.
Related Federal Cases
- Iowa Felon Billy Thorne Convicted of Firearm Possession · Iowa
- Panama City Felon Sentenced for Gun Possession · Florida
- Orlando Felon Sentenced For Machinegun, Silencer Possession · Puerto Rico
- Miami-Dade Felon Convicted of Gun Possession · Florida
- Miami-Dade Felon Floyd Convicted for Gun Possession · Florida
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
