Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday has sentenced Devin Fabian Collins (25, St. Petersburg) to 17 years and 6 months in federal prison for being a felon in possession of a firearm. The court also ordered him to forfeit the firearm used in the offense. Collins was found guilty by a jury on February 13, 2018.

According to evidence presented at trial, Collins drove recklessly through St. Petersburg as he was being followed by a police helicopter. After Collins pulled into an apartment complex, officers arrived at the scene and Collins fled on foot, while tossing drugs and a gun. At the time of the incident, Collins had a prior felony conviction and is, therefore, prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys James Preston and Callan Albritton.

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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