A brazen attempt to flee from law enforcement has landed Dovantate Wright, 26, of Bradenton, in even hotter water. Wright was sentenced to two years and six months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, a sentence that will be served consecutively to a separate sentence of five years and six months imposed in Manatee County.
According to court documents, the trouble began on September 2, 2022, when Wright was the front seat passenger of a vehicle driving in the wrong direction on a one-way road in Sarasota, Florida. Officers from the Sarasota Police Department stopped the vehicle, and Wright fled on foot into an auto parts store. Inside the store, Wright ran behind the counter into the back of the store where he stumbled into a product bin as he attempted to pull from his waistband a fully loaded Smith and Wesson model 40C .40 caliber pistol with one round in the chamber.
Wright’s actions that day were not those of a law-abiding citizen. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. Wright previously served three years in Florida State Prison for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and grand theft of a motor vehicle. His history of violent behavior and disregard for the law made his possession of a firearm a serious offense.
During an interview with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Wright admitted to possessing the firearm and to being a convicted felon. This admission, combined with the evidence collected during the investigation, made it clear that Wright had willfully violated federal law. The consequences of his actions are now clear: an additional two years and six months in federal prison.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
The investigation into Wright’s crimes was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Sarasota Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David W.A. Chee. U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday imposed the sentence on Wright, who entered a guilty plea on March 8, 2024. The sentence is a clear message that violent crime and disregard for the law will not be tolerated in our communities.
In a city where violent crime can have devastating effects on families and communities, the sentencing of Dovantate Wright serves as a reminder of the importance of law enforcement and the judicial system in keeping our streets safe. As the Department of Justice continues to work towards reducing violent crime and gun violence, cases like Wright’s demonstrate the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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