Shannon Nicole Samlalsingh, Conspiracy to Make False Statements, Florida 2025

Tampa, Florida – A former Hillsborough County high school teacher has been sentenced to prison for her role in a firearms trafficking ring. Shannon Nicole Samlalsingh, 47, of Temple Terrace, was sentenced to one year and one day in federal prison for conspiracy to make false statements to a firearms dealer.

According to court documents, Samlalsingh purchased seven firearms for a Trinidad-based transnational criminal organization while working as a teacher at a Hillsborough County high school. She falsely stated on Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives forms that the firearms were for her personal use, when in reality, she gave them to members of the organization.

The firearms were then smuggled into Trinidad, where authorities seized a shipment containing the concealed weapons. Samlalsingh had purchased four of the seized firearms, including a SAR-9 9mm pistol, a Ruger-9 9mm pistol, a Taurus G3 9mm pistol, and a Taurus G2C 9mm pistol.

The case was investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service. United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe announced the sentencing.

Samlalsingh pleaded guilty to the charges on June 20, 2025. She was also ordered to forfeit the firearms purchased as a result of the offense.

The sentencing marks the latest in a string of high-profile cases involving firearms trafficking in the Tampa area. Law enforcement officials say they will continue to crack down on individuals who attempt to smuggle firearms into the country.

Shannon Nicole Samlalsingh, Defendant, Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to make false statements to a firearms dealer, City and State: Tampa, Florida, Exact Date: June 20, 2025, Sentence or Outcome: One year and one day in federal prison, and forfeiture of the firearms purchased as a result of the offense.

Related Federal Cases