See the Latest Crime News and Arrest Reports from the Tampa – St. Pete Metro Area
Florida Crime News Update: April 2, 2024
Gun Trafficker Who Tried To Send Firearms To Drug Cartel Members In Mexico Sentenced To Over Thirteen Years In Prison Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge William F. Jung has sentenced Yuendry Rodriguez Hilario (29, Cleveland, OH) to 13 years and 4 months in federal prison for conspiring to traffic firearms, possessing firearms in furtherance…
Spring Hill, FL Man Sentenced To More Than Eight Years In Federal Prison For Conspiring To Sell Fentanyl
Below is an official statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida regarding the sentencing of a man who pled guilty to conspiring to sell fentanyl. Tampa, FL – U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven has sentenced Luis Irizarry-Santiago, a/k/a “Bullet” (33, Spring Hill), to eight years and four months in…
Florida Funeral Home Director Arrested, Charged with Grand Theft, Improper Preservation of a Human Body
The Florida Department of Financial Services recently announced the arrest of a funeral home director in Jacksonville. According to an official statement from FDFS, Elliot Maurice Graham, a Funeral Director of Marion Graham Mortuaries in Jacksonville, faces multiple charges, including one felony count of Grand Theft and one misdemeanor count of Improper Preservation of a…
Jury Convicts Tampa Woman Of Defrauding Government Of Federal Benefits
Below is a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida. Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that a federal jury has found Shirin Marshall (55, Tampa) guilty of four counts of mail fraud. Marshall faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison on each…
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St. Petersburg Man Arrested, Charged for Murder of His Girlfriend
St. Petersburgh Police Department published a statement regarding the arrest of Jacob Ray Wallace and his charge of 2nd-degree homicide. According to police, Wallace was arguing with his girlfriend Tiffany Jade Dickinson, shortly before 11 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 21, when Wallace shot Dickinson at their home on Freeport Avenue North. According to SPD, Dickinson,…
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Sarasota Methamphetamine Trafficker Pleads Guilty
From the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida: Tampa, Florida – United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg announces that Alfred Clayton Rosier, Jr. (29, Sarasota) has pleaded guilty to possession with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine and possession…
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FDLE arrests 2 Pasco County men for possession of child sexual abuse material
The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) arrested Michael Robert Ambrosio, 49, of New Port Richey, and Robert Allen Cale, 35, of Port Richey, on charges of possession of child sexual abuse material and promoting the sexual performance of a child. The investigations began when FDLE Tampa Bay and Brooksville Field Office agents identified hundreds of…
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Florida Proud Boy Sentenced for Assaulting Law Enforcement During Jan. 6 Capitol Breach
Nearly one year after he was arrested, Zachary Johnson, 34, of St. Petersburg, Florida, was sentenced to 42 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release after he pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement officers during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. Johnson was sentenced last week by U.S. District…
Tampa Police Searching for Driver Who Hit, Killed Bicyclist
Tampa Police are searching for a person who was behind the wheel and caused a deadly hit-and-run crash Tuesday night According to a statement from Tampa Police Department, on 10/24/2023 at 8:16 PM, officers responded to the 1900 block of E. 21st Ave and located a 57-year-old male bicyclist in the roadway unresponsive after being…
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Tampa Man Charged for Fentanyl Overdose Death of Another Individual
As the opioid crisis continues to kill thousands of Americans, a Tampa man was indicted for the distribution of fentanyl resulting in the death of an individual. According to Roger B. Handberg from the Middle Florida District of the United States Attorney’s Office, Telvin O. Wright (26, Tampa) was charged for distributing a mixture of…
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Overview of Tampa Crime
Located on Florida’s Gulf Coast, the Tampa metro area has emerged as one of the most popular cities for Americans relocating during recent years. Home to multiple pro sports teams, along with several universities including the University of South Florida, Tampa is enjoying rapid growth and a revived downtown area, known for beautiful waterfront areas. Like many metropolitan areas, Tampa has its share of crime-related challenges, and understanding the crime landscape is essential to addressing these issues effectively.
Tampa, with a population of approximately 400,000 residents, experiences a diverse range of criminal activity typical of urban centers. The Tampa Police Department, Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, and other local law enforcement agencies compile and analyze crime statistics regularly, providing valuable insights into the types and frequencies of crimes occurring in the area.
Crime Trends:
Tampa faces various types of crime, including property crimes like burglary and theft, violent crimes such as assault and homicide, and drug-related offenses. These crime types often intersect and contribute to the overall crime landscape in the city. Violent crimes committed with a firearm dropped 5% in 2022, and nonfatal shootings dropped 17% compared to 2021, according to police chief, Lee Bercaw. According to the Tampa Police Department, the city saw 171 nonfatal shootings in 2022, down from 205 the previous year.
To gain a better understanding of crime in Tampa, it is essential to examine trends over time. Crime rates can fluctuate, but proactive law enforcement strategies, community engagement, and targeted interventions have made a positive impact. Programs like community policing, neighborhood watch groups, and diversion programs for at-risk individuals have contributed to reducing crime rates in certain areas.
While Tampa has made progress in addressing crime, challenges persist. Tackling the root causes of crime, such as poverty and substance abuse, remains an ongoing effort. The city must also remain vigilant against emerging threats, adapt to changing criminal trends, and address issues like human trafficking and cybercrime.