Armed Drug Trafficker Who Fled Tampa Police Sent To Federal Prison

TAMPA, FL — A 32-year-old man convicted of drug trafficking and fleeing from police at speeds of more than 100 miles an hour is headed to federal prison.

U.S. District Judge William F. Jung sentenced Dempsey Gilmore, 32, of Tampa to 30 years in federal prison for conspiring to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana, possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana, carrying a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.

The court also ordered Gilmore to forfeit an HS Produkt (Springfield Armory) model XDM-45 .45 caliber pistol and ammunition, which were used in the commission of the offenses.

A federal jury found Gilmore guilty on March 9.

According to testimony and evidence presented at trial, on Feb. 9, 2022, a Tampa police officer noticed that a red Dodge Charger failed to stop for a stop sign. The officer attempted a traffic stop, but the Dodge fled at speeds of more than 100 mph. A Tampa police helicopter tracked and recorded the vehicle as it fled from police and stopped near a home, where the driver and passenger got out, scaled a fence and ran into a house.

During the flight, the helicopter recorded the Dodge temporarily stopping and its occupants throwing items from the car. Tampa police arrived at that location and found a bag containing almost 200 grams of 100 percent pure methamphetamine, a zip-top bag labeled “Dempsey” and a fully loaded firearm by the side of the road. They also found a box with bags of marijuana and a digital scale nearby.

After obtaining a search warrant for the house the suspects had entered, officers ordered those inside to come out of the home. Several people immediately complied, but Gilmore and another man initially remained in the house before eventually coming out.

Officers found a security video from the house showing Gilmore and the other man running into the home and located more marijuana inside the Dodge Charger that had been abandoned nearby. A fingerprint recovered from the Dodge matched Gilmore's.

Gilmore was previously convicted of multiple felonies, including felon in possession of a firearm and escape, so he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Tampa Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.