Deterrio M. Young, Gun Possession, Florida 2023

TAMPA, FL – Deterrio M. Young, 29, of Tampa, is headed to federal prison for more than 15 years after being sentenced for illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition. U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber handed down the 15-year, 10-month sentence Wednesday, along with an order for Young to forfeit the weapon and ammo used in the offense.

Young pleaded guilty back in February to the charge, a violation of federal law prohibiting convicted felons from owning guns or ammunition. Court records reveal a concerning history: Young had previously been convicted of battery on a law enforcement officer, obstructing or opposing an officer with violence, and aggravated assault – a clear pattern of violent behavior.

The case began unfolding on July 28, 2021, when law enforcement received a tip that Young was packing heat. When officers arrived to investigate, Young bolted, initiating a brief pursuit. He was quickly apprehended, and a magazine containing seven rounds of ammunition was found on his person. The firearm itself was also recovered, and forensic analysis confirmed Young’s DNA was present on the weapon.

This wasn’t a simple case of a misplaced gun. Young’s prior convictions clearly demonstrate a disregard for both law enforcement and public safety. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), along with the Tampa Police Department, built a solid case against him, leaving little room for doubt.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael R. Kenneth and Callan Albritton prosecuted the case, highlighting the Justice Department’s commitment to taking dangerous criminals off the streets. This prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a comprehensive program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and the communities they serve.

The Department of Justice launched a renewed focus on PSN in May 2021, emphasizing community trust, support for violence prevention organizations, strategic enforcement, and measurable results. While the program’s effectiveness is always debated, the goal remains clear: to make neighborhoods safer by targeting the most dangerous offenders, like Deterrio Young. The ATF Tampa Field Division handled the investigation.

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