Tampa Felon Indicted For Possessing A Firearm

Tampa, FL – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Demetrius Sanchez Mitchell (38, Tampa) with illegally possessing a firearm. If convicted, Mitchell faces a mandatory minimum term of 15 years, and up to life, in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Mitchell that the United States intends to forfeit the firearm traceable to his offense.

According to the indictment, on July 2, 2022, Mitchell possessed a firearm. At the time of the incident, Mitchell had multiple prior felony convictions, including two convictions for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and a conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm. As a previously convicted felon, Mitchell is prohibited from possessing a firearm under federal law.

An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tampa Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David P. Sullivan. The forfeiture will be handled by Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne C. Nebesky.

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.