Tampa Man Sentenced to More Than 15 Years in Federal Prison After Road Rage Assault

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Susan C. Bucklew has sentenced Harlem Slaughter Turner, III (41, Tampa) to 15 years and 8 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Turner pleaded guilty on June 12, 2018.

 According to court documents, on May 30, 2017, at approximately 2:50 a.m., officers from the Tampa Police Department were on routine patrol when they observed what appeared to be an altercation among a group of people just north of 7th Avenue on 17th Street in Ybor City. The officers heard someone yell, “he's got a gun,” as Turner quickly 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 located 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 located 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 prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Michael C. Baggé-Hernández and Charlie D. Connally.

This case was brought as part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program that has been successful in bringing together all levels of law enforcement to reduce violent crime and make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. In October 2017, Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced the reinvigoration of PSN and directed all U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to develop districtwide crime reduction strategies, incorporating the lessons learned since the program’s inception in 2001. In the Middle District of Florida, U.S. Attorney Maria Chapa Lopez coordinates PSN efforts in cooperation with various federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.