A St. Petersburg man has been found guilty of a federal firearms offense, with a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison.
Devin Fabian Collins, 25, was convicted of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon after a federal jury delivered the verdict in Tampa, Florida.
The incident occurred on an unspecified date, and Collins was being followed by a police helicopter as he drove recklessly through St. Petersburg. He fled on foot, tossing drugs and a gun, after he pulled into an apartment complex.
A prior felony conviction made Collins prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law at the time of the incident.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Pinellas County Violence Crimes Task Force, which is comprised of officers from the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, the St. Petersburg Police Department, and the Clearwater Police Department.
The Violent Crimes Task Force is a part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program aimed at reducing violent crime and making neighborhoods safer. U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
The case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, which was reinvigorated in October 2017 by Attorney General Jeff Sessions. Sessions directed all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to develop districtwide crime reduction strategies.
Collins faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. His sentencing is scheduled for May 15, 2018.
The indictment against Collins was filed on May 18, 2017.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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