Lakeland Man Sentenced To Federal Prison For Possessing Ammunition As A Convicted Felon

Tampa, Florida – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has sentenced Solomon Smith (22, Lakeland) to 30 months in federal prison for possessing ammunition as a convicted felon. Smith entered a guilty plea on November 7, 2024.

According to court documents, on July 2, 2024, officers with the Lakeland Police Department were surveilling a residence to serve an outstanding arrest warrant for Smith. The officers observed Smith with a handgun, equipped with an extended magazine, tucked in his waistband. After Smith was arrested on the warrant, officers obtained a warrant and searched the residence. Officers located the handgun hidden in an air vent. The firearm was not marked with a serial number and was loaded with 25 rounds of ammunition. Photographs of Smith in possession of the same handgun were posted on social media.

At the time, Smith had been convicted of prior felony offenses, including carrying a concealed firearm and possession of cannabis resin. As a convicted felon, Smith is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Lakeland Police Department. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence for occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.