TAMPA, FL – A St. Petersburg man is facing a mountain of federal charges after an investigation by the Pinellas Park Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Derrick Evans, 44, was arrested this week on a nine-count indictment alleging narcotics offenses and illegal firearm possession.
According to the Department of Justice, between February 25 and May 6, 2022, Evans allegedly possessed with intent to distribute cocaine. The indictment details multiple instances of Evans allegedly dealing narcotics within the city. The feds claim Evans didn’t just deal drugs – he did so while armed. On May 6, 2022, authorities allege Evans possessed a firearm while engaged in his drug trafficking activity.
The charges don’t stop there. Evans, a convicted felon, is also accused of illegally possessing a firearm. His rap sheet includes a prior attempted first-degree murder conviction, making him legally prohibited from owning guns or ammunition. If convicted on the narcotics counts, Evans faces a maximum of 20 years per count – a potentially crippling sentence. Adding to that, the charge of carrying a firearm during drug trafficking carries a consecutive 5-year minimum.
But the most severe penalty looms with the felon in possession of a firearm charge. Evans is looking at a mandatory minimum of 15 years, with the possibility of a life sentence. U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg has also signaled the government’s intention to seize any firearms recovered during the investigation, stripping Evans of any assets gained through his alleged criminal enterprise.
Federal prosecutors, led by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Beckman, are building their case under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by coordinating efforts between law enforcement and local communities. The Biden administration recently reaffirmed its commitment to PSN, emphasizing community trust, violence prevention, and strategic enforcement.
An indictment is just the beginning. Evans is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, with the weight of these charges – seven narcotics counts, one firearm-related to trafficking, and one for being a felon in possession – Evans is facing a long and arduous legal battle, and potentially decades behind bars if convicted.
Related Federal Cases
- Bayron Castro Sentenced for Narcotics Ring, New York NY, 2023 · Florida
- Naomi Ruth Smith, Child Sex Trafficking, M.D. Florida, 2023 · Florida
- Duval County Public Schools, Employment Discrimination, Florida, 2023 · Florida
- Lawrence Destefano, Ghost Gun Ring Operation, Florida, 2023 · Florida
- Michael Alvin Carter, Gunrunning and Stolen Firearms Trafficking, O… · Florida
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free
Browse More
