Bradenton Man Indicted For Firearms And Narcotics Offenses

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Terry McDonald, Jr. (31, Bradenton) with possession of firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. If convicted on all counts, McDonald faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 5 years, up to life, in federal prison. The indictment also notifies McDonald that the United States intends to forfeit a Smith & Wesson firearm and ammunition traceable to the offense. 

According to the indictment, on or about October 5, 2023, McDonald possessed cocaine and fentanyl with the intent to distribute it. In furtherance of that crime, he also possessed a loaded Smith & Wesson firearm after knowing he had previously been convicted of multiple felonies.

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 Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.

This case is part of the 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 for occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.