Tampa Felon Convicted At Trial Of Possessing A Firearm And Ammunition

Tampa, Florida - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Vincent Luke Governor, Jr. (34, Tampa) guilty of being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition. Governor faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for February 11, 2025.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, on August 28, 2022, officers with the Tampa Police Department initiated a traffic stop on a vehicle being driven by Governor. Governor was the sole occupant of the vehicle. During the stop, officers observed the odor of marijuana coming from Governor's vehicle. As Governor was being removed from the vehicle to allow the officers to conduct a search of the vehicle, the officers observed the grip of a handgun underneath the driver's seat. The firearm (Springfield Armory XD pistol) was loaded with 18 rounds of ammunition. A DNA sample taken from the gun linked Governor to the firearm. The officers also located 80 grams of marijuana in multiple bags and a digital scale in the glove compartment.

At the time, Governor had previous felony convictions for burglary of a dwelling, grand theft, possession of burglar tools, and armed robbery. As a convicted felon, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tampa Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Shauna S. Hale.

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