Tampa Man Indicted For Possessing A Firearm And Ammunition As A Convicted Felon

Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return by a grand jury of an indictment charging Jermonte Jerome Thornton (42, Tampa) with possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon. If convicted, Thornton faces a maximum penalty of life in federal prison and a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years under the Armed Career Criminal Act.

The indictment also notifies Thornton that the United States intends to forfeit a Diamondback firearm and ammunition used in the commission of the offense.

According to the indictment, on or about January 3, 2024, Thornton was in possession of a Diamondback firearm and two rounds of ammunition. Prior to possessing the firearm and ammunition, Thornton had previously been convicted of multiple felonies, including being a felon in possession of a firearm, aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, burglary of an occupied dwelling with assault or battery, and false imprisonment.

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 Tampa Police Department. It will be 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.