Terrese Colston, Carjacking, Florida 2018

Tampa, Florida - In a shocking turn of events, 29-year-old Terrese Colston was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for his role in a carjacking incident that left a Lakeland police officer gunshot victim.

According to court documents, on July 11, 2018, Colston approached the driver's side window of a parked car on East Lemon Street in Lakeland and pointed a loaded revolver at the victim, telling him to get out of the car. The victim, fearing for his life, complied, and Colston then got into the car and drove away.

A few hours later, a Lakeland police officer spotted the stolen Mazda and attempted to pull it over. However, Colston crashed the car and fled on foot. The officer eventually caught up to Colston and attempted to stop him using a Taser, but Colston turned around and shot the officer in the face. The officer survived and returned fire, striking Colston in the leg. Other officers arrived and took Colston into custody.

U.S. District Judge Virginia M. Hernandez Covington handed down the sentence, which consists of 15 years' imprisonment on the carjacking charge, 15 years' imprisonment (consecutive) on the firearm brandishing charge, and 10 years' imprisonment (concurrent) on the felon-in-possession charge.

Colston's sentencing is a significant blow to the community, and it serves as a reminder that violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated. The members of the Lakeland Police Department are grateful to their federal law enforcement partners at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the U.S. Attorney's Office for their efforts in securing the conviction.

This case was brought in furtherance of the President's February 9, 2017 Executive Order on Preventing Violence Against Federal, State, Tribal, and Local Law Enforcement Officers (EO). The EO established that it is the policy of the executive branch to enhance the protection and safety of federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement officers, and thereby all Americans.

Assistant United States Attorney Christopher F. Murray prosecuted the case, which was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Lakeland Police Department.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/carjacker-who-shot-lakeland-police-officer-sentenced-30-years-federal-prison