Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces that a federal jury has found Tony Donnell Mathis (48, St. Petersburg) guilty of being a felon in possession of ammunition, and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine base (“crack cocaine”). He faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for April 22, 2016.

Mathis was indicted in December 2014.

According to evidence and testimony presented at trial, on or about September 25, 2014, Mathis operated a drug house, and was in possession of a loaded firearm, a distribution quantity of crack cocaine, and body armor. With prior convictions, including fleeing or eluding, aggravated assault, battery of a law enforcement officer, burglary, and robbery, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the St. Petersburg Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jennifer L. Peresie and Rachel K. Jones.

This is another case prosecuted as 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 Regina Lombardo, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, are coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. It is also a part of ATF’s Frontline Strategy on reducing violent crime in communities.

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