Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the unsealing of an indictment charging Brandon Taylor (24, Bradenton). The five-count indictment charges Taylor with two counts of being a felon in possession of a firearm, and three counts of possession with intent to distribute and distribution of cocaine base. If convicted, Taylor faces a maximum of 20 years in federal prison for each narcotics offense and up to 10 years’ imprisonment for each firearms offense. The indictment also notifies Taylor that the United States intends to forfeit the firearms and ammunition, along with any narcotics proceeds traceable to the offenses.

According to his indictment, Taylor distributed cocaine base on August 16, 2013, August 23, 2013, and September 9, 2013. He is also charged with possessing an Armscor .45 caliber pistol and 8 rounds of.45 caliber ammunition on August 23, 2013, and 11 rounds of .45 caliber ammunition on September 9, 2013.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam M. Saltzman.

It is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy.  United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III, along with Julie Leon, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, is coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

This case is also a part of ATF’s Frontline Strategy to reduce crime in our communities. Frontline is a comprehensive violent crime impact strategy that consolidates limited federal law enforcement resources and focuses ATF’s mission by deconflicting cases and coordinating all law enforcement efforts in critical communities.

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