Department of Justice
For Immediate Release
St. Petersburg Felon Sentenced to More Than 12 Years for Possessing Firearm and Cocaine
Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Oscar Freemond Fowler III (48, St. Petersburg) to 12 years and 6 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon and for possessing cocaine with the intent to distribute it. Fowler entered a guilty plea on January 4, 2024.
According to court records, in October 2023, officers from the St. Petersburg Police Department and agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives executed a search warrant at Fowler’s residence. During their search, they located cocaine, methamphetamine, and marijuana. On the floor next to Fowler’s bed, agents located a loaded 9mm pistol that contained an extended magazine and 29 rounds of ammunition. At the time, Fowler had multiple prior felony convictions including aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, kidnapping, aggravated assault, and conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute cocaine. Therefore, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
“This is another example of how the ongoing collaboration with our state and federal partners assisted us in removing a dangerous felon and reducing gun violence in our community,” said Anthony Holloway, St. Petersburg Chief of Police.
“This is a major victory for the St. Pete community,” said ATF Tampa Field Division’s Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. “We’re proud to have contributed to putting this notorious and violent triggerpuller in federal prison for a long time.”
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Petersburg Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David P. Sullivan.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.