Reshay Rashard Nelson, Possessing a Firearm as a Convicted Felon, Florida 2023

A 45-year-old Tampa man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Thomas Barber handed down the sentence to Reshay Rashard Nelson on an undisclosed date in April 2025.

Nelson pleaded guilty to the charge in April 2025, and the court documents reveal the details of a traffic stop that led to his arrest.

According to the court documents, officers from the Tampa Police Department stopped a vehicle driven by Nelson on April 10, 2023. A search of Nelson and his vehicle resulted in the discovery of an ounce of cocaine, a scale, and a loaded firearm.

Nelson received an enhanced sentence under the Armed Career Criminal Act based on his prior felony convictions for possession of cocaine with the intent to distribute, obstructing an officer with violence, possession of methamphetamine with intent to sell, and trafficking in cocaine.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Petersburg Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David P. Sullivan.

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 government 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.

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