Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Leonon Ricky Davis (37, Tampa) with being a felon in possession of a firearm. If convicted, Davis faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison.
According to statements made in open court, on December 1, 2022, Davis crashed into a parked vehicle while driving drunk on 26th Street in Tampa. Eyewitnesses reported that Davis was waving a black pistol when he exited the vehicle. Davis fled from the scene of the crash on foot, abandoning the pistol, a bag of crack cocaine, and cash along the way. Officers from the Tampa Police Department responded to the scene and apprehended Davis minutes after the crash.
Davis has multiple prior felony convictions, including for possession of cocaine, felony battery, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. As such, federal law prohibits him from possessing firearms and ammunition.
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 Tampa Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David P. Sullivan.
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 out 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 first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
Originally published at https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/tampa-felon-charged-possessing-firearm
