DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Middle District of Florida

For Immediate Release

Thursday, April 19, 2018
Maria Chapa Lopez
, United States Attorney
Contact: William Daniels

Convicted Felon Sentenced to 15 Years for Possessing a Firearm and Ammunition

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge James S. Moody, Jr. today sentenced Arvester Lamonica Anderson (47, Tampa) to 15 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The court also ordered him to forfeit the firearm and ammunition used in the offense. Anderson pleaded guilty on February 1, 2018.

According to court documents, on June 22, 2017, Anderson and his roommate became involved in an altercation and the roommate, believing that Anderson had threatened him with a firearm, called the police. Officers from the Tampa Police Department responded and found a loaded pistol in Anderson’s closet. Anderson subsequently admitted to possessing the firearm. Due to his several prior felony convictions, Anderson is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tampa Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Charlie D. Connally.

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.

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Tampa Field Division