10-Time Convicted Felon and Sex Offender Steals $50K in Silver and Firearms

Justin Reeves’ mugshot. Photo by Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

In a press release on the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office’s website, officials say that just after 10:00 p.m. on November 8, deputies responded to a reported burglary at a home on the 2100 block of Herndon Street in Dover, Florida. Three firearms were stolen. 

34-year-old Justin Reeves was quickly made a suspect, and he was apprehended by the Targeted Crime Unit after committing a traffic violation on November 13. Yet, he was initially “arrested for Possession of a Controlled Substance and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia”. 

As the investigation continued, deputies learned that “the coins and silver bars were taken from an unreported burglary within Hillsborough County”. Police managed to get in touch with the elderly victim, who had been out of town when the burglary occurred. 

Upon searching Reeves’ vehicle, “deputies found heavy bags containing a large quantity of collectible silver coins and silver bars”. Then, when detectives searched Reeves' residence, they discovered two of the three stolen firearms and more silver coins and bars. In total, about $50,000 worth of firearms, silver bars, and coins were recovered.

Collaged photo of the recovered silver. Photo by Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office

Reeves had been convicted of 10 felonies prior to these new offenses. He was only just released from prison this past August, about four months ago. 

One of his previous convictions includes the charge of “Lewd Or Lascivious Exhibition, Victim Under 16, Offender 18 or Older” against a female victim. So, as of 2016, Reeves became a convicted sex offender in addition to his other crimes. His complete sex offender registration information can be viewed through the official database here.

As for Reeves’ current charges, he has racked up 22 new ones since his release a few months ago. They are as follows:

• One count of possession of a controlled substance
• One count of possession of drug paraphernalia
• One count of armed burglary of a dwelling
• One count of felon in possession firearm, firearm possess
• Three counts of grand theft firearm
• One count of dealing in stolen property
• One count of grand theft (from dwelling - $750 or more)
• One count of burglary of an unoccupied conveyance
• One count of grand theft second degree
• One count of failure of sex offender to report within 48 hours after a change of name or residence 
• One count of failure of sex offender to report within 48 hours of vacating residence
• One count of failure of sexual predator to follow registration procedure 
• Six counts of failure of sex offender to report within 48 hours change in vehicles owned
• One count of failure of sex offender to register changes to telephone numbers, employment, or education enrollment
• One count of perjury by false written statement 

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Reeves is currently being held in Falkenburg Road Jail with no bond set. The investigation remains active and ongoing at this time.

Sheriff Chad Chronister commented, "Thanks to excellent investigative work by our units, we were able to return stolen property to its rightful owners. Our top priority is keeping our community safe and making sure brazen criminals like this one are held responsible."   
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Article by Ema Tibbetts