Federal Jury Convicts Courtnee Brantley

TAMPA—A federal jury today found Courtnee Nicole Brantley (24, Seffner) guilty of misprision of felony in regard to the shooting deaths of Tampa Police Department Officers David Curtis and Jeffrey Kocab by convicted felon Dontae Morris. The verdict is a result of Brantley’s knowledge of a federal felony (the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon), her failure to report, and concealment of that crime. She faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled. Brantley was indicted on October 6, 2010.

Evidence presented during the trial revealed that on June 29, 2010, Brantley was stopped by Officer Curtis for driving without a vehicle license tag. During the stop, Officer Curtis learned that Morris, a passenger in Brantley’s vehicle, had an active warrant for his arrest. When Officer Curtis attempted to arrest Morris, with the assistance of Officer Kocab, Morris shot and killed both officers. Brantley fled from the scene to a nearby apartment complex. She parked her car nearly 500 yards away from the apartment. Brantley was found at the apartment later that day. Phone and text message records revealed communications between Brantley and Morris following the shootings. In a lengthy interview process, Brantley repeatedly refused to name the passenger in her vehicle.

This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department, with assistance from the Federal Bureau of Investigation; Florida Department of Law Enforcement; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives; and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Additional agencies participated in the manhunt for Morris. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James C. Preston, Jr.