St. Petersburg Convicted Felon Arrested With Cache Of Weapons

TAMPA, FL - United States Attorney Robert E. O'Neill announces the arrest of Jason Deon Thomas (31, St. Petersburg) on charges of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, possession of a machinegun, possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, and other firearms offenses. If convicted, Thomas faces a maximum penalty of 30 years in federal prison on the drug charges and 10 years in federal prison on each of the gun charges.

According to the complaint, the St. Petersburg Police Department, along with agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, executed a search warrant at Thomas' residence on February 7, 2013. In the residence law enforcement located twenty-nine firearms, including six assault rifles, five shotguns, seventeen handguns, a machinegun, a silencer, four bullet proof vests, and numerous rounds of assorted ammunition. Law enforcement also recovered marijuana, cocaine, an unknown quantity of prescription drugs, an a large quantity of cash. Thomas has previously been convicted of felony drug trafficking offenses and thus, does not have a right to possess or use firearms or ammunition. The details of the charges and arrest are set forth in the criminal complaint.

An complaint is merely a charge that probable cause exists that a defendant has committed a violation of the federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the St. Petersburg Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Josephine W. Thomas.

It is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy led by ATF. United States Attorney Robert E. O’Neill, along with Julie Torres, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, is coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.

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