Convicted Felon Headed To Prison After Being Found With Loaded Gun

TAMPA, FL — A 34-year-old Tampa man has been sentenced to federal prison for possessing a gun as a felon after he crashed into a bicyclist with his moped.

U.S. District Judge Charlene E. Honeywell sentenced Terry Augusta Newsome to seven years in federal prison for unlawful possession of a firearm. The court also ordered Newsome to forfeit the firearm and ammunition.

Newsome pleaded guilty on Nov. 1.

According to court documents, on Feb. 15, 2021, a Tampa police officer saw Newsome, who was riding a moped, fail to stop at a stop sign and collide with a bicyclist.

The officer said both Newsome and the bicyclist were severely bleeding. The officer attempted to attend to Newsome’s injuries, but Newsome rose to his feet clutching a firearm that he had hidden under his shirt. Additional officers who arrived on scene noticed a holster partially hidden under Newsome’s shirt. The officers restrained Newsome and took a loaded firearm from Newsome’s pants.

At the time of the crash, Newsome had at least 26 prior state felony convictions, including three convictions for aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, five for grand of a theft motor vehicle, nine for burglary and one for armed robbery. Because of his prior felony convictions, Newsome is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

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