He had numerous prior felony convictions and was banned from possessing a firearm, the U.S. Attorney’s Office said.

TAMPA – A Tampa man has been sentenced to federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida said.

Harlem Slaughter Turner, III, 41, of Tampa, was sentenced to 15 years and 8 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Turner pleaded guilty June 12.

According to court documents, about 2:50 a.m. on May 30, 2017, officers from the Tampa Police Department were on routine patrol when they saw what appeared to be an altercation among a group of people just north of Seventh Avenue on 17th Street in Ybor City. The officers heard someone yell, “he’s got a gun,” as Turner got into his car and fled the scene. The officers learned that Turner had threatened the occupants of another vehicle after he had been involved in a traffic incident.

The officers found Turner’s car, conducted a traffic stop, and searched the vehicle. During the search, under the rear seat, the officers found a 9mm handgun that had been reported stolen, along with a magazine containing 10 rounds of ammunition. The officers also recovered a magazine containing 14 rounds of 9mm ammunition inside a backpack behind the center console. At the time, Turner had numerous prior violent felony convictions and, was therefore prohibited from possessing a firearm by federal law. He also qualified for an increased penalty under the Armed Career Criminal Act.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tampa Police Department. It was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make neighborhoods safer.

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