TAMPA, FL – Dartis Cobb, 35, of St. Petersburg, is facing federal charges after being indicted for illegally possessing ammunition, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida announced Monday. Cobb is accused of knowingly having 9mm Luger ammunition in his possession on August 13, 2022 – a clear violation of federal law given his criminal history.
This isn’t Cobb’s first run-in with the law. Court records show he’s already a convicted felon, with prior convictions for both robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Federal law explicitly prohibits individuals with felony convictions from owning or possessing either firearms or ammunition. The ATF and the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office teamed up to investigate this case, bringing the charges against Cobb.
If convicted on this charge, Cobb is looking at a hefty prison sentence – up to 10 years behind federal bars. The indictment serves as the formal accusation, but Cobb, like all defendants in the American legal system, is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman is assigned to the case, and will be building the prosecution’s argument.
U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg’s office is framing this case as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a broad initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence across the country. PSN emphasizes collaboration between federal, state, and local law enforcement, along with community involvement, to tackle these issues.
The Department of Justice launched a renewed version of PSN in May 2021, focusing on building trust with communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and – crucially – tracking the results of those efforts. While the DOJ touts these principles, the reality on the streets is often a different story, with repeat offenders like Cobb continuing to slip through the cracks.
The investigation remains ongoing, and further details may emerge as the case progresses through the federal court system. Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available. The Tampa Field Division of the ATF led the investigation, highlighting the agency’s continued focus on firearms-related offenses in the region.
Related Federal Cases
- Pedro Garcia, Felon in Possession of Firearm, Florida 2017 · Florida
- Alfred Laquan Thomas, Felon Ammo Possession, NY 2024 · Kansas
- Brandon Williams, Heroin and Gun Possession, Florida 2015 · Virginia
- Gordon Gun Possession, Florida 2023 · Florida
- Jermonte Thornton, Felon Gun Possession, Florida 2024 · Virginia
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