TAMPA, FL – Terry Augusta Newsome, 34, of Tampa, is headed back to prison for seven years after a federal judge sentenced him for unlawful possession of a firearm. Newsome, a career criminal with a rap sheet stretching back years, pleaded guilty on November 1, 2022, but his history of violent offenses clearly factored into the severity of the sentence handed down by U.S. District Judge Charlene E. Honeywell. The court also ordered Newsome to forfeit the weapon and ammunition recovered at the scene.
The case unfolded on February 15, 2021, when a Tampa Police Department officer witnessed Newsome blow through a stop sign on a moped, colliding with a bicyclist. Both Newsome and the cyclist sustained serious injuries in the crash. As the officer attempted to provide aid, Newsome, despite being injured himself, reportedly stood up and revealed a hidden firearm tucked under his shirt. Additional officers arriving at the chaotic scene quickly spotted a holster and secured the loaded weapon from Newsome’s pants.
Court documents reveal a staggering criminal history for Newsome. He’s a 26-time convicted felon, racking up convictions including three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, five grand theft auto convictions, nine burglary charges, and a single conviction for armed robbery. Federal law explicitly prohibits individuals with such a record from possessing firearms or ammunition. The question isn’t just *that* he had a gun, but *who* had it, given his extensive history.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Tampa Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Charlie D. Connally prosecuted the case, presenting the evidence that led to Newsome’s guilty plea and subsequent sentencing. Federal authorities have made it clear they are prioritizing cases involving repeat offenders and illegal firearms.
This prosecution falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a federal program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement at all levels and the communities they serve. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened version of PSN in May 2021, emphasizing community trust, preventative measures, and focused enforcement.
Newsome’s seven-year sentence sends a clear message: those with extensive criminal histories who illegally possess firearms will face serious consequences. With a record like his, a lengthy prison term was almost a certainty. The ATF’s Tampa Field Division will continue to work with local partners to keep firearms out of the hands of individuals prohibited from owning them, hoping to prevent further violence on the streets of Tampa.
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