Roger B. Handberg, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida
Terry Lavon McDonald, Jr., a 32-year-old resident of Bradenton, Florida, has been sentenced to seven years and six months in federal prison. The sentence was handed down by U.S. District Judge Mary S. Scriven for charges including possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl, and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. In addition to the prison term, McDonald is required to forfeit a Smith & Wesson firearm and ammunition involved in the offenses. He had entered a guilty plea on November 22, 2024.
Court documents reveal that on October 5, 2023, deputies from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at a residence in Bradenton following controlled fentanyl purchases linked to another individual at the location. During this operation, McDonald was found alone in a vehicle parked in the driveway. A search of the vehicle uncovered a loaded Smith & Wesson handgun, along with fentanyl and cocaine. Prior convictions against McDonald include possession of cocaine with intent to sell or deliver, fleeing law enforcement officers, and carrying a concealed firearm. As such, he is legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
A cellphone recovered during his arrest contained photographs showing McDonald holding suspected firearms and narcotics.
The investigation into this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives alongside the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and community groups. Launched on May 26, 2021, PSN emphasizes building trust within communities while supporting organizations focused on violence prevention.
