A Leesburg man faces up to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
U.S. States Attorney Roger B. Handberg made the announcement regarding 24-year-old Tyran Terrell Harris. A sentencing date has yet to be set, although he was indicted by a federal jury back in December 2023. According to court records, Harris has multiple prior state felony convictions, including grand theft, tampering with a witness and grand theft auto.Â
On Sept. 25, 2023, officers from the Leesburg Police Department spotted Harris walking around an apartment complex with a loaded firearm. Knowing Harris was a convicted felon from previous interactions, the officers arrested him and took possession of the firearm. A record check showed the firearm had been reported stolen about two weeks earlier. Harris subsequently admitted to the officers that he knew he could not have a firearm as a convicted felon.Â
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and LPD. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Hannah Nowalk.Â
This case is also part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, 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. Â
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 from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.
