Tyran Terrell Harris, Possessing a Stolen Firearm, Florida 2024

OCALA, FL – Tyran Terrell Harris, 24, of Leesburg, Florida, is headed to federal prison for two years after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. U.S. District Judge Thomas P. Barber handed down the sentence today, marking the latest crackdown on illegal gun possession in the state.

The case unfolded last September when officers with the Leesburg Police Department spotted Harris walking through an apartment complex openly carrying a loaded handgun. Knowing Harris’s criminal history—a rap sheet already bulging with convictions for grand theft, tampering with a witness, and grand theft auto—they immediately moved to arrest him.

It didn’t take long to discover the weapon had a darker side. A check revealed the firearm had been reported stolen just two weeks prior. Harris, cornered, admitted to police he knew possessing a gun was illegal given his prior felony convictions. The ATF joined the Leesburg PD in investigating the origins of the stolen weapon, solidifying the federal charge.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Hannah Nowalk prosecuted the case, successfully arguing that Harris’s actions posed a clear and present danger to the community. The two-year sentence reflects the seriousness with which federal authorities are treating repeat offenders found in possession of illegal firearms.

This case isn’t an isolated incident. It’s part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by uniting federal, state, and local law enforcement with community organizations. The program, relaunched in 2021, focuses on building trust, supporting preventative programs, prioritizing strategic enforcement, and tracking results.

Harris’s conviction serves as a stark reminder that even with multiple state convictions, a federal charge for firearm possession can add significant time to an offender’s sentence. The ATF’s Tampa Field Division spearheaded the investigation, demonstrating their commitment to removing illegal weapons from the streets and keeping communities safe. The case highlights the ongoing battle against gun violence and the consequences for those who disregard the law.

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