Raymond Adams, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, Florida 2023

Tampa, Florida – In a shocking turn of events, convicted felon Raymond Adams, 29, of St. Petersburg, has pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm and carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense.

According to the plea agreement, Adams and others planned to break into a St. Petersburg residence to steal marijuana and later distribute it. Adams was armed with a 9-mm handgun during the attempted burglary and, when detected by law enforcement officers, he fled with his associates in a vehicle that later crashed. Adams then fled on foot and discarded the gun. Officers later recovered that firearm from a trash can.

At the time of the incident, Adams was a felon whose prior criminal history included a 2010 manslaughter conviction. As such, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the St. Petersburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James C. Preston, Jr.

This is another case prosecuted as a part of the “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program – a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy. Acting United States Attorney W. Stephen Muldrow, along with Daryl R. McCrary, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, is coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. It is also a part of the St. Petersburg Violent Crime Reduction Initiative.

Adams faces a minimum mandatory penalty of five years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

Adams was a convicted felon at the time of the incident, making him prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. The recovery of the firearm from a trash can is a stark reminder of the dangers of gun violence and the importance of the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative.

The case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of engaging in violent crime. The Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative aims to reduce gun violence and make communities safer.

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