Ataire Carl Ray, 30, of Tampa, has been sentenced to over 17 years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday issued the sentence. Ray was classified as an Armed Career Criminal due to three prior convictions for violent or drug-related offenses, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office release.
Evidence presented at trial showed that on April 1, 2022, Ray was involved in a confrontation where he displayed a 9mm handgun and made threats. When Tampa Police responded, Ray fled and discarded the firearm on a nearby property. The gun was recovered, and Ray was arrested shortly after.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tampa Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael R. Kenneth prosecuted the case, and Assistant U.S. Attorney James A. Muench handled the forfeiture.
Ray’s case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal initiative to reduce violent crime and gun violence through law enforcement and community cooperation. The program was updated in May 2021 to emphasize community trust, violence prevention, strategic enforcement, and measurable results.
