Department of Justice

TAMPA, Fla — U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Evan Ingram, 42, Clearwater, has pleaded guilty to distribution and possession with the intent to distribute cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. For the distribution charge, Ingram faces up to 20 years in federal prison. For the possession of firearm charge, he faces a minimum mandatory of 15 years, up to life, in federal prison. A sentencing date has not yet been set.

According to court documents, Ingram was previously convicted of seven felonies including possession of cocaine, sale or delivery of cocaine, robbery, aggravated assault and sale of a counterfeit substance. On five dates in August and two dates in September 2022, Ingram distributed a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of cocaine. Court records also show that on four of those dates Ingram sold either a firearm or a firearm and ammunition.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Clearwater Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Samantha Newman.

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 of Justice 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.

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