Detectives identified Lavardis Howard, 29, as the primary suspect during the investigation. Howard was released from Florida State Prison in October 2025.
TAMPA, Fla. — The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office has arrested an eight-time convicted felon following an investigation into gang activity in the Grant Park area.
Detectives identified 29-year-old Lavardis Howard as a primary suspect during an ongoing probe into the “Young Godz” gang. Howard, who was released from Florida State Prison in October 2025, became the subject of an arrest warrant after a Feb. 19 domestic incident.
On Feb. 24, the Sheriff’s Office Gang Unit served a search warrant at Howard’s Tampa residence, locating two pistols, one of which was reported stolen, along with about two pounds of marijuana, ammunition, mushrooms, and marijuana wax. A second warrant was issued and Howard was taken into custody a few days later in Progress Village.
“This arrest is the result of proactive investigative work targeting gang activity in our community,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said.
The investigation remains ongoing.