BRADENTON, FL – Dovontate James Wright, 26, of Bradenton, is facing a potential 15-year federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The case, investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Sarasota Police Department, highlights the ongoing struggle to keep guns out of the hands of those legally prohibited from owning them.
The incident unfolded on September 2, 2022, when officers with the Sarasota Police Department spotted a silver Nissan Altima traveling the wrong way on a one-way street. During the traffic stop, Wright, a passenger in the vehicle, bolted from the car and ran into a discount auto parts store in a desperate attempt to evade capture. His flight ended abruptly when he tripped while trying to pull a firearm from his waistband, sending him crashing into a product display.
What Wright dropped wasn’t just any object – it was a fully loaded Smith and Wesson model 40C .40 caliber pistol, with a round chambered and ready to fire. The discovery immediately flagged Wright as a prohibited possessor, given his prior criminal record. He confessed to ATF agents that he knew he wasn’t allowed to have a gun.
Court records reveal a disturbing pattern of violent behavior. Wright previously served three years in a Florida state prison for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer and grand theft of a motor vehicle. This conviction automatically disqualifies him from legally owning a firearm under federal law, a fact he acknowledged to investigators. Forensic analysis confirmed a DNA match between Wright and the firearm recovered at the scene.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys David W.A. Chee and Michael Kenneth are prosecuting the case, which is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN). PSN aims to reduce violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement agencies and local communities. The program focuses on building trust, supporting community organizations, and prioritizing strategic enforcement efforts.
A sentencing date for Wright has not yet been set. The outcome of this case sends a clear message: those who illegally possess firearms, especially individuals with a history of violence, will face the full force of federal prosecution. This is just one case in the ongoing effort to stem the tide of gun violence and make neighborhoods safer, but it underscores the constant battle faced by law enforcement in keeping weapons away from dangerous individuals.
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