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Jury Convicts Armoni Moody of Armed Carjacking, Faces Life in Prison

Armoni Moody guilty of armed carjacking. Faces life in prison for car theft and firearm use.

byEditorial Staff

November 14, 2025, 3:03 PM

Rear view of a person in an orange prison jumpsuit with hands handcuffed behind their back.

A rear view of a handcuffed person wearing a bright orange uniform, symbolizing arrest or incarceration. By MDL.

Executive Summary

Armoni Tyree Moody, 24, was found guilty in federal court in Tampa of armed carjacking, brandishing a firearm, and possessing ammunition as a convicted felon.

Moody used a loaded handgun to steal a vehicle and personal belongings from a victim he arranged to meet via social media under the guise of buying marijuana.

Investigators recovered the stolen items and the firearm from Moody’s residence, along with text messages discussing the robbery and social media videos showing him with the weapon; he was also on probation for a prior robbery conviction.

Laws and Precedent

Armoni Tyree Moody’s conviction on federal charges of armed carjacking, brandishing a firearm during a violent crime, and possessing ammunition as a convicted felon highlights the strict federal laws that prohibit individuals with prior felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition. The impending sentencing, which carries a minimum of seven years, reflects the severe mandatory penalties under federal law for violent offenses, particularly those involving the use of firearms.

A federal jury in Tampa, Florida, has found Armoni Tyree Moody, 24, of Davenport, guilty of armed carjacking, brandishing a firearm during a violent crime, and possessing ammunition as a convicted felon. The verdict, announced by United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe on Friday, November 14, 2025, follows a trial detailing Moody’s use of a loaded handgun to steal a vehicle and personal belongings. Moody faces a minimum sentence of seven years and a maximum of life in federal prison, with sentencing scheduled for January 21, 2026.

Details of the Crime

Evidence presented during the trial revealed that Moody arranged to meet an individual via social media under the guise of purchasing marijuana. Upon entering the victim’s car, Moody brandished a loaded handgun, pressing it against the victim’s head. He then forced the victim to surrender two cellphones and exit the vehicle, threatening to shoot if the victim did not comply, before driving away in the stolen car.

Investigation and Evidence Recovery

Investigators swiftly obtained a search warrant for Moody’s residence the following day. During the search, the victim’s stolen belongings and the loaded firearm used in the carjacking were recovered from Moody’s bedroom. The victim’s car was also located parked nearby.

Further investigation uncovered text messages on Moody’s cellphone where he discussed his intent to commit the robbery hours before the incident. Detectives also found social media videos depicting Moody in possession of the same firearm used in the carjacking.

Prior Convictions and Legal Ramifications

At the time of the carjacking, Moody was serving a term of probation for a prior conviction of robbery with a weapon. As a convicted felon, federal law explicitly prohibits him from possessing firearms or ammunition, adding to the severity of his current charges.

Law Enforcement Collaboration

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation collaborated on the investigation that led to Moody’s conviction. Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang is prosecuting the case for the Middle District of Florida.

Outlook on Sentencing

Moody’s conviction underscores the severe consequences for violent offenses involving firearms, particularly for individuals with a history of similar crimes. His upcoming sentencing will determine the length of his incarceration for these federal offenses.