Eddie Winman Thomas, Possessing a Firearm and Ammunition as a Convicted Felon, Florida 2022

LAKELAND, FL – Eddie Winman Thomas, 32, of Lakeland, is facing up to a decade in federal prison after being indicted on charges of possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The indictment, unsealed Monday, alleges Thomas was found with a gun and ammo on April 28, 2022, a clear violation of federal law given his prior convictions.

Thomas isn’t a stranger to the system. Court records show he previously pled guilty to Hobbs Act Robbery and conspiracy to obstruct commerce by robbery – serious violent crimes. Federal law explicitly prohibits anyone with such a record from legally owning a firearm or ammunition. The feds aren’t messing around; alongside the potential prison sentence, the government is moving to seize the weapon and ammo used in the alleged offense.

The case, spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, is a stark example of how authorities are cracking down on repeat offenders. Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Kenneth will lead the prosecution, with Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne C. Nebesky handling the forfeiture proceedings. This isn’t just about a single gun; it’s about keeping dangerous weapons out of the hands of those with a proven history of violence.

U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg, speaking through a Department of Justice release, emphasized the case is part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. PSN, recently revamped, focuses on building trust with communities, supporting local organizations, and strategic enforcement. The program’s aim is to make neighborhoods safer, and cases like Thomas’s are presented as a key component of that goal.

An indictment, it’s crucial to remember, is not a conviction. Thomas is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, the charges and his prior record paint a troubling picture. The investigation and subsequent prosecution highlight the ATF’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal gun possession by those already barred from owning them. The stakes are high: a maximum sentence of 10 years could send Thomas back to prison for a significant stretch.

The government has signaled its intent to permanently confiscate the firearm and ammunition linked to this case. This is a common tactic in federal weapons cases, aiming to not only punish the offender but also to remove the tools of potential future crimes. The case serves as a warning: a felony conviction and a firearm are a dangerous combination that will draw the full force of federal law enforcement.

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