A Tampa man has been sentenced to 18 years and 4 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Javis D. Wilson, 39, of Tampa, pleaded guilty on November 8, 2017, to the charges brought against him.
According to court documents, Wilson sold undercover agents cocaine, ammunition, and several firearms, including a Mossberg 30-06 caliber rifle, a Lorcin Engineering .25 caliber handgun, and a Taurus International .40 caliber handgun. In total, Wilson was held responsible for the sale of 9 firearms. Wilson had reason to believe that the firearms would be trafficked to and resold in the New York area.
The investigation into Wilson’s activities was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Murray. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone.
In October 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to develop districtwide crime reduction strategies, incorporating the lessons learned since the program’s inception in 2001. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.
U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew handed down the sentence to Wilson, who will now spend the next 18 years and 4 months behind bars. The sentence is a significant one, and it sends a clear message to those who would engage in similar criminal activity. The PSN program has been instrumental in reducing violent crime in communities across the country, and this case is just one example of its success.
The city of Tampa can rest a little easier tonight, knowing that a dangerous individual is off the streets. The work of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the U.S. Attorney’s Office has made a significant impact in this case, and their efforts should be commended. As for Javis D. Wilson, he will have plenty of time to reflect on his actions and the harm that he caused to his community.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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