Tampa Man Pleads Guilty To Illegally Possessing A Firearm

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Meccos Donta Allen (38, Tampa) has pleaded guilty to unlawfully possessing a firearm. Allen faces a minimum mandatory penalty of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. Allen has also agreed to forfeit the Glock pistol traceable to the offense. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, officers from the Tampa Police Department approached Allen after receiving a complaint that someone fitting Allen’s description had assaulted a couple after following them from Tampa’s Downtown Riverwalk. Allen fled from the police, dropping a loaded Glock pistol in the process. At the time of his arrest, Allen had multiple felony convictions, including for felony battery and the delivery of cocaine. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David P. Sullivan. The forfeiture is being 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.