SWAT team found drugs and a gun. Now Bradenton man is headed to prison, prosecutors say
A Bradenton man is headed to prison after pleading guilty to firearms and drug charges, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida announced.
A federal judge sentenced Terry Lavon McDonald Jr., 32, to seven years and six months in prison for possession of a firearm or ammunition by a convicted felon, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and fentanyl and possession of a firearm for a drug trafficking crime, according to a news release.
The sentence comes after McDonald previously pleaded guilty to the charges in November, federal prosecutors say. The court also ordered McDonald to forfeit a Smith & Wesson handgun and ammunition.
McDonald faced a mandatory minimum penalty of five years with a maximum penalty of up to life in federal prison, the Bradenton Herald previously reported.
Bradenton man arrested during Manatee County SWAT raid
In October 2023, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team raided a Bradenton house in the 3300 block of 20th Street East, where they found McDonald inside a white Ford Explorer backed into the driveway, according to arrest records.
After searching the vehicle, detectives say they found a loaded black nickel-plated Smith & Wesson handgun, fentanyl, cocaine and a digital scale.
Law enforcement said they found 20.8 grams of rock cocaine and 4.4 grams of powder cocaine, the Bradenton Herald previously reported.
Detectives say after running McDonald’s criminal history, they found he had 14 felony charges with six convictions, including previous firearms charges, drug-related charges and fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement.
Investigators say they later found multiple photos on McDonald’s cellphone that showed him in possession of suspected firearms and narcotics.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives assisted the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office with the investigation, according to a news release.
