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Published on January 16, 2025
St. Petersburg Man with Seven Prior Convictions Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearm and Ammunition PossessionSource: Unsplash/ Emiliano Bar

St. Petersburg resident Martez Manning, 26, has entered a guilty plea for illegal firearm and ammunition possession as a seven-time convicted felon, an act carrying a possible minimum of 15 years to life in federal prison, with sentencing still pending, announced U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg. The plea links to a January 2, 2023 incident where Manning was found with a Beretta model 21A Bobcat semi-automatic pistol and rounds of ammunition, despite his criminal record barring firearm possession.

Manning's history of felony convictions includes drug-related offenses such as cocaine possession and distribution, which led to his prohibition from handling weapons, the court documents obtained from the Department of Justice revealed; however, this didn't deter Manning from having a pistol and two rounds of the CCI 22 long rifle ammunition on him at the beginning of 2023.

Investigations by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives alongside the St. Petersburg Police Department culminated in Manning's plea. Assistant United States Attorneys Samantha Newman is leading the prosecution while Assistant United States Attorney Suzanne Nebesky maneuvers the forfeiture aspect of the case.

This case falls under the Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative, which aims to foster community safety by uniting law enforcement's efforts to tackle violent crime and gun violence.

Tampa-Crime & Emergencies