Convicted Felon Indicted for Possession of Firearm and Ammunition
Tampa, FL - United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces the return of an indictment charging John Knight (45, St. Petersburg) with one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. If convicted, Knight faces up to 15 years in in federal prison.
According to the indictment, on February 18, 2023, Knight possessed a Beretta 9mm semiautomatic pistol, 15 rounds of Federal cartridge 9mm ammunition, and one round of Remington Arms company 9mm ammunition. Knight was previously convicted of two felonies, including attempted murder in the 2nd degree and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. As such, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the St. Petersburg Police Department. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
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.
