A Georgia man was found guilty of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and beating a Clearwater police officer following a bench trial before United States District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle in Florida.
Cleveland Sanders, 41, Covington, Georgia, faces a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for August 27, 2024.
According to evidence presented at trial, on January 3, 2023, an officer with the Clearwater Police Department stopped Sanders for multiple traffic infractions near North Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue and Grant Street in Clearwater, Florida.
Read: Florida Murder Suspect Who Fled The State Arrested In Alabama By U.S. Marshals
During the stop, the officer noticed a large handgun in the driver’s side doorjamb. After being ordered to remain in the vehicle, Sanders instead got out and punched the officer several times in the face and dislodged the officer’s body camera.
Sanders then fled the scene but was later arrested.
The firearm was recovered from the doorjamb of the vehicle, investigators say.
At the time of the offense, Sanders had a prior felony conviction and had served 15 years in a Florida prison for aggravated battery with great bodily harm. As a convicted felon he is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.
Read: California Woman Murders Her Elderly Mom, Wraps Her In Plastic, And Stuffs Her In Closet
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Clearwater Police Department. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David W.A. Chee and David Sullivan.
Help support the Tampa Free Press by making any small donation by clicking here.
Android Users, Click To Download The Tampa Free Press App And Never Miss A Story. Follow Us On Facebook and Twitter. Sign up for our free newsletter.