In a recent operation by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, Christopher Newman, a 12-time convicted felon, was apprehended for attempting to sell firearms in the Tampa area. According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office press release, deputies had conducted surveillance on Newman's residence on East Sligh Avenue on August 24, where they witnessed Newman leaving with a large bag and then riding away on an e-bike.
When deputies tried to make a traffic stop, Newman reportedly chose to quickly flee, weaving through the traffic and discarding the bag to the roadside. He was eventually intercepted and arrested without further incident. The recovered bag contained a stolen Marlin 3030 Lever Action Rifle, a Winchester 16 Gauge Short Barrel Shotgun, and various ammunition. Sheriff Chad Chronister, in a statement obtained by the sheriff's office press release, highlighted the significance of the arrest, saying, “This dangerous repeat offender had absolutely no business being in possession of firearms and ammunition."
Newman's extensive criminal background, including burglary, theft, firearms, narcotics-related offenses, as well as previous attempts to evade law enforcement and battery by strangulation, underscores the severity of this latest incident. The release issued by the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office recounts that Newman had been freed from Florida State Prison on March 20, after completing his sentence for past crimes. Nevertheless, within a scant five months, Newman found himself in violation of the law yet again.
The charges Newman is now facing are substantial: Felony Fleeing to Elude, Unlawful Use of Two-Way Communications Device, Resisting Officer Without Violence, Possession of a Short Barreled Rifle, Possession of Firearm During Commission of Felony x2, Felon in Possession of Firearm x3, Carrying Concealed Firearm x2, and Use of Firearm While Intoxicated. Sheriff Chronister was quoted in the press release: “Because of the swift and decisive work of our deputies, a convicted felon was stopped from potentially committing another violent crime, and the residents of Hillsborough County are safer as a result.”
