Jason Deon Thomas, 31, of St. Petersburg was arrested Thursday morning after police say they found 30 guns, drugs, survival gear and cash inside his home in the 2200 block of 37th St. N.
The St. Petersburg Police Department and The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), conducted a joint investigation after receiving a tip about Thomas allegedly selling drugs.
Investigators found 30 guns, including a fully automatic rifle, two sawed-off shotguns, several assault weapons, semi-automatic rifles and handguns, according to a news release.
Thomas' business, JT's The Perfect Tattoo Shop on 34th Street North, was also searched but only boxes of ammunition were found.
Police also took possession of one suppressor, numerous C- magazines (each one holds one-hundred rounds of ammunition), several bullet resistant vests, one Kevlar body suit, including kneepads and bullet-resistant armbands. They also recovered bullet-resistant helmets and gas masks, numerous survival knives, bug out bags, survival books, and several large boxes of ammunition.
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According to the police report, 9.5 grams of powder cocaine, 216 grams of marijuana and $7,390.00 in cash was also recovered.
"This is a significant arrest that began with a tip from a concerned citizen. This case clearly reinforces the notion that law enforcement needs the public's support to get drug dealers and illegal firearms off the street," said St. Petersburg Police Chief Chuck Harmon in a news release.
Thomas has been charged federally and made his initial appearance in federal court this afternoon, in Tampa, according to St. Petersburg Police.
According to jail records, Thomas is a convicted felon. In 2001, he was charged with Armed Trafficking MDMA, Trafficking in Phenethylamines, Felony Possession of Marijuana and Possession of LSD. In 2012, he was charged with Possession of Marijuana over 20 grams.
Good, go after the people that have these illegal weapons, fully automatic, sawed off shotguns, etc. and leave the legal honest gun owners alone. A sawed off shotgun is what started the Ruby Ridge incident with Randy Weaver and the BATF when they shot and killed Vikki Weaver while she was holding her infant baby and shot and killed her teenage son the day before. This is what legal gun owners are affraid of, gov. egencies like the BATF coming in with guns blazing shooting first and asking questions later.
It's ''TOO'' many not ''to'' and if he has ''bare'' arms instead of the right to ''bear'' arms, who cares. Right? Other than a couple dozen captilization, spelling and punctuation errors, You seem to have made your point.
From the manufacturer firearms travel to the distributors who ship them to FFLs. Legit FFLs, transfer the weapons to customers. What happens after that transfer is the focus of your question. When a weapon is "lost/stolen," agencies who want to know, trace the paper trail, from buyer to FFL and back to the source. How do you protect someone from a homicidal maniac like in Connecticut, who committed matricide to get his weapons? Currently there is no enforced law against "Stupid" who leaves his things in the car, or in a poorly constructed cabinet ripe for theft. The weapons of Mr. Thomas were, doubtless, part of the 39.5% of crime guns acquired from friends and family, the 37% from the street, or the 10% acquired from theft. Please don't blame the "gunshow loopholes" as they provide about 1.9% of crime guns. About 13% come from straw purchases at dealers. These facts are from the Department of Justice.Law enforcement agencies nationwide are undermanned and underfinanced.They do the best they can with the resources available. Ever hear about filing off the serial numbers, Sir? criminals operate without regard for anything!
is and what it can do.
Congress funds the agencies responsible for law enforcement & over the years has allowed loopholes to become part of their gun bills in attempt to assuage the pro/anti gun sides at the same time. A tricky game but they pulled it off for the most part & have made the one side feel that laws were passed while making the other side feel the laws were ineffective. Lobbyists & politicians have contributed greatly to this situation. Also, if only .05% of illegal gun usage starts at a gun show loophole or any where else it is .05% too many. TYVM.
I haven’t heard “Shut up,” since elementary school days. Thank you for recognizing my intellect, though it appears to be a bitter thorn to you. There is no harm in edifying others with knowledge. I found it interesting that the BATFE is now known as such. Perhaps, you have forgotten the well known aphorism about making assumptions. You have no idea what it is that I know regarding anything. I do know which weapon today takes the antiquated “clip.” Do you, Sir? I won’t be calling the POLIC(sic) as I don’t know what you are trying to say. Go back to sleep.