United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida
08/23/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/23/2024 12:08
Lakeland Man Indicted For Possessing Ammunition As A Convicted Felon
Tampa, Florida - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging Solomon Smith (22, Lakeland) possessing ammunition as a convicted felon. If convicted, Smith faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. The indictment also notifies Smith that the United States intends to forfeit assorted rounds of ammunition, which are alleged to have been used in the commission of the offense.
According to the indictment, on July 2, 2024, Smith, knowing that he had been previously convicted of felony offenses - including carrying a concealed firearm - was in possession of assorted rounds of ammunition. As a convicted felon, Smith is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
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 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.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Lakeland Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.