United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that Darrius Lovett, a 27-year-old from St. Petersburg, has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. Lovett could face up to 15 years in federal prison, though a sentencing date has not yet been determined.
Court documents reveal that Lovett has multiple prior felony convictions, including for felonious possession of a firearm. On November 2, 2023, the St. Petersburg Police Department's Surveillance Unit located Lovett to arrest him on a felony warrant. When an officer instructed Lovett to get on the ground, he refused and fled. During the pursuit, the officer saw Lovett discard a firearm from his right hand. The firearm was subsequently found near where Lovett was apprehended. A witness working nearby also saw Lovett throw the weapon.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the St. Petersburg Police Department and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Samantha Newman.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative uniting various levels of law enforcement with communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence while enhancing neighborhood safety. The Department launched an updated violent crime reduction strategy on May 26, 2021, focusing on fostering trust in communities, supporting organizations that prevent violence before it occurs, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.