TAMPA — A 29-year-old eight-time convicted felon tied to a Tampa gang was arrested last month after deputies found two pistols, drugs and ammunition at his home, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office said.
Lavardis Howard was released from state prison in October and became the focus of an ongoing investigation into the Young Godz gang operating in the Grant Park area, according to the sheriff’s office.
Howard was first involved in a domestic incident Feb. 19, which led to an arrest warrant, deputies said.
Five days later, Gang Unit detectives served a search warrant at Howard’s Tampa home and found two handguns — one of which had been reported stolen — about two pounds of marijuana, mushrooms, marijuana wax, cocaine, multiple boxes of ammunition and drug paraphernalia, the sheriff’s office said.
Detectives obtained a second warrant and arrested Howard on Feb. 27 in Progress Village.
He faces 13 charges including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of cocaine and multiple drug possession and distribution counts.
Sheriff Chad Chronister called the arrest the result of proactive work targeting gang activity in the community.
“If you are engaging in gang-related crime, we will find you and hold you accountable,” Chronister said.
The investigation is ongoing, according to the sheriff’s office.