United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announced that a federal jury has convicted Ataire Carl Ray, 30, from Tampa, for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The jury also determined that Ray is an Armed Career Criminal due to his history of at least three prior serious violent or drug offenses. He now faces a minimum sentence of 15 years to life in federal prison, though the sentencing date remains undetermined.
Evidence presented during the trial revealed that on April 1, 2022, Ray was involved in an argument where he brandished a 9mm firearm with an extended magazine while making threats. Officers from the Tampa Police Department responded to the incident. Upon their arrival, Ray fled and discarded the loaded firearm onto a neighboring property, where it was quickly retrieved. He was apprehended shortly thereafter about a block away. At that time, Ray had multiple prior felony convictions and was legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
The investigation into this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives alongside the Tampa Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Kenneth prosecuted the case, with Assistant United States Attorney James A. Muench handling forfeiture matters.
This conviction is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), which unites various levels of law enforcement with communities to reduce violent crime and gun violence and enhance neighborhood safety. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a strategy to reduce violent crime by strengthening PSN based on core principles: fostering trust within communities, supporting community-based organizations in violence prevention efforts, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring outcomes.