Tampa Felon Sentenced To More Than Six Years For Possessing A Firearm

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Zachary A. Jones (22, Tampa) to six years and five months in federal prison for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The court also ordered Jones to forfeit the firearm and ammunition used in the offense.

Jones had pleaded guilty on August 11, 2020.

According to court documents, on February 18, 2019, officers from the Tampa Police Department were looking for Jones, who had active warrants for his arrest. As officers approached Jones, he fled. While running from the officers, Jones discarded a loaded firearm. Officers later arrested Jones and recovered the firearm.

Jones has multiple prior convictions for narcotics-related felonies and is therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law. At the time of this offense, Jones was on community control in the state of Florida.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tampa Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Callan Albritton.

This is another case prosecuted as part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program (PSN), which is a nationwide crime reduction strategy aimed at decreasing violent crime in communities. It involves a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that includes investigating and prosecuting crimes, along with prevention and reentry efforts. 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.