Clearwater Co-Defendants Plead Guilty To Possessing Firearms And Ammunition As Convicted Felons

Tampa, Florida -United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Robert Pugh (33, Clearwater), and Leon Williams (35, Clearwater), have pleaded guilty to an indictment charging Pugh with possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon, and Williams with possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. Pugh faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. Williams faces a mandatory minimum penalty of 15 years, up to life imprisonment, under the Armed Career Criminal Act.

According to court records, on or about January 3, 2024, a search warrant was executed at a residence located in Clearwater, Florida. Both Pugh and Williams lived at the residence. During the search, a loaded handgun was located in Pugh's bedroom, and live rounds of ammunition were located Williams' bedroom. An additional loaded handgun was located in the shared living room. Interviews were conducted with both defendants. Pugh admitted to ownership of the handgun in his bedroom and having access to the handgun in the living room, and Williams admitted to ownership of the ammunition in his bedroom. DNA evidence was later obtained connecting Pugh to the handgun in his bedroom and Williams to the handgun in the living room.

Both defendants are convicted felons and prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law. Prior to the offense, Pugh had been convicted of multiple felonies including felonious possession of firearm or ammunition, aggravated battery, and the sale of cocaine. Williams had been convicted of multiple felonies, including multiple counts of selling cocaine.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Clearwater Police Department. 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.