Benjamin Cedric Graddy, 41, from Tampa, was sentenced to 14 years in federal prison for possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and violating his supervised release terms.
According to a Department of Justice press release, the events leading to Graddy's sentencing began on March 17, 2023, when Tampa Police officers stopped a vehicle in Ybor City for running a stop sign. During the stop, officers smelled burnt marijuana and noticed white powder on the driver's floorboard. A search revealed a loaded Glock 22 .40 caliber firearm with 22 rounds, dimethylpentylone in two containers, cocaine in Graddy's pocket, a digital scale, and plastic baggies in the vehicle.
At the time of the incident, Graddy was under federal supervised release for a previous firearm possession conviction. He pleaded guilty on October 2, 2024. The case involved the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Tampa Police, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
U.S. District Judge William F. Jung sentenced Graddy to 14 years in prison, reflecting the seriousness of the offense and his status as a repeat felon who violated his release terms. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David W.A. Chee and Michael J. Buchanan.
