State Attorney Files Charges Against 57 People For Tampa Rioting

TAMPA, FL — Hillsborough State Attorney Andrew Warren announced Friday that charges have been filed against dozens of additional people for ransacking stores, causing destruction and fighting with officers who tried to arrest them during civil unrest in Tampa.

Following the initial set of charges announced on June 18, the Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office has now charged a total of 57 people with felonies in connection with rioting and looting that began on the night of May 30.

The defendants’ felony charges include 52 counts of burglary, 13 counts of grand theft and four counts of battery on a law enforcement officer. Evidence from an additional 45 felony cases is still being reviewed, so more charges are expected.

Most of the arrests come from the night of May 30, the first night of civil unrest following the death of George Floyd while in the custody of Minneapolis Police.

Filing charges takes time because the State Attorney’s Office reviews all the evidence for each case. A single case may have hundreds of pages of police reports and witness statements, plus video evidence and audio recordings to review, according to Warren.

“Officers did their part to stop these crimes as they happened and identify the suspects. Now it’s time for us to do our part: prosecuting these defendants, holding them accountable for their actions and preventing them from doing more harm to our community,” Warren said.

“These 57 people should not be confused with the large number of peaceful protestors in our community. The defendants we’ve charged took advantage of the pain in our community and tried to turn it into a quick buck or set out to cause chaos. None of us will stand for that," he said.

The felony charges filed so far break down as follows:
– Burglary of a Structure* – 52 counts
– Grand Theft – 13 counts
– Rioting/Inciting to Riot – 6 counts
– Battery on a Law Enforcement Officer – 4 counts
– Carrying a Concealed Firearm – 3 counts
– Felon in Possession of a Firearm – 1 count
– Fleeing to Elude Law Enforcement – 1 count
– Possession of Cocaine – 1 count
(* Includes 2 counts of Armed Burglary of a Structure and 3 counts of Burglary of a Structure During a State of Emergency)

Misdemeanor charges associated with these same defendants include:
– Petit Theft – 14 counts
– Resisting Arrest Without Violence – 10 counts
– Unlawful Violation of Established Emergency Measures – 6 counts
– Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer – 1 count
– Loitering or Prowling – 1 count

The businesses victimized include jewelry stores, clothing stores, convenience stores, cell phone stores, a department store, a sporting goods store, a fireworks store, a pawn shop and a car rental office on Hillsborough Avenue, in the University of South Florida area and in Temple Terrace.

While the Hillsborough State Attorney’s Office has declined to prosecute peaceful protesters speaking out in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, these 57 individuals are accused of felony crimes that, if convicted, carry maximum prison terms ranging from five years to life.

“If you’re out to peacefully protest, you can expect support from our community. But if you’re out to hurt, destroy, or steal—you can expect to be held accountable under the law,” Warren said.

See related stories:

• Civil Unrest Continues In Tampa Sunday; National Guard Activated
• Tampa Declares Curfew; Mayor Called Rioting Heartbreaking To See
• Tampa Police Arrest 40 People During Saturday's Civil Unrest
• Tampa Rally Turns Violent, Gas Station Torched, Stores Looted
• Sheriff Arrests 10 People During Weekend's Civil Unrest