Tampa, Florida – In a major blow to the city’s underworld, a 32-year-old Bradenton man has been sentenced to 15 years and 1 day in federal prison for his involvement in firearm and drug trafficking crimes. Travis Marcel Hickman, a convicted felon, was found to be in possession of a firearm and narcotics, leading to his downfall.
According to court documents, on November 17, 2017, deputies from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop on Hickman’s car. He fled, leading the deputies on a high-speed chase that resulted in him colliding with another vehicle in a residential neighborhood. Hickman emerged from his car with a backpack containing various narcotics, including morphine and crack cocaine.
Law enforcement officers recovered a loaded .40 caliber pistol from his disabled vehicle, and a subsequent search of Hickman’s motel room revealed a loaded 9mm pistol, ammunition, and various narcotics, including opioids, cocaine, and crack cocaine. At the time, Hickman was a convicted felon and therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Frank Murray. Hickman pleaded guilty on June 13, 2017 and was subsequently sentenced.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In October 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to develop districtwide crime reduction strategies, incorporating the lessons learned since the program’s inception in 2001.
In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. This case is a testament to the effectiveness of the program and the commitment of law enforcement agencies to keeping our communities safe.
The defendant’s exact criminal charges include possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Hickman is currently serving his sentence at a federal prison.
The case highlights the dangers of firearm and drug trafficking and the importance of law enforcement’s efforts to combat these crimes. We will continue to follow this story and provide updates as more information becomes available.
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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