DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

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

For Immediate Release

Thursday, August 25, 2022
Roger B. Handberg
, United States Attorney

Convicted Felon Who Brandished Glock Pistol With Extended Magazine on Instagram Video Sentenced to More Than Four Years in Federal Prison

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Virginia Hernandez Covington has sentenced Devontae D. Hunter (25, Tampa) to four years and nine months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

According to court documents, Hunter brandished a Glock pistol with an extended magazine in a video “story” that he uploaded to his Instagram account on September 11, 2021. Two days later, during a traffic stop, Hunter fled from law enforcement officers on foot and dropped the same Glock pistol he had displayed in the Instagram video. The pistol was configured with an extended magazine and loaded with 20 rounds of ammunition. Hunter had previously been convicted of several felony offenses, including possession of a firearm as a convicted felon, robbery, and aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer. As such, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David W.A. Chee and Callan Albritton.

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.

Tampa Field Division