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Drugs, loaded guns & machete found in car, convicted felon arrested: HCSO

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Published  April 15, 2025 5:38am EDT
Hillsborough County
FOX 13 News

The Brief

    • Tarelle Stacy, 35, is facing a list of charges after deputies say a traffic stop uncovered drugs and weapons.
    • HCSO says marijuana, crack cocaine, two loaded guns, additional ammunition and a machete were among the items found.
    • Stacy is a convicted felon and is being held in jail without bond.

TAMPA, Fla. - A convicted felon is back behind bars after Hillsborough County deputies say they found drugs, multiple loaded guns and a machete inside a car during a traffic stop.

The backstory:

According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office, deputies pulled over a car for multiple traffic violations in the area of 15th St. and E. Fletcher Ave. shortly before 5 p.m. Sunday.

Deputies smelled a strong odor of cannabis, leading to a probable cause search, according to HCSO.

Courtesy: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

Courtesy: Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.

Investigators say they found a loaded semi-automatic handgun with a bullet in the chamber and the safety off, along with a second loaded gun and additional ammunition in the glove compartment.

HCSO says deputies also discovered 25 grams of marijuana, 2.8 grams of crack cocaine, drug paraphernalia and a machete.

Tarelle Stacy, 35, was a passenger in the car and admitted to possessing the drugs and weapons, according to investigators.

Mugshot of Tarelle Stacy. Courtesy: Hillsborough County Jail.

Mugshot of Tarelle Stacy. Courtesy: Hillsborough County Jail.

What they're saying:

"There is no such thing as a ‘routine’ traffic stop. Every encounter has the potential to uncover dangerous and illegal activity," Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement. "Thanks to the proactive and swift actions of our deputies, firearms and illegal drugs that could have harmed members of our community were taken off the streets."

What's next:

Stacy faces the following charges:

  • Armed possession of cocaine with intent to sell or deliver
  • Possession of drug paraphernalia
  • Armed possession of a controlled substance
  • Possession of a firearm during commission of a felony
  • Felon carrying a concealed weapon
  • Felon in possession of a firearm
  • Felon in possession of ammunition

Jail records show he's being held without bond.

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The Source: This story was written with information from the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office and Hillsborough County Jail records.

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