Tampa, FL – A Ruskin man has been sentenced to 15 years and 1 month in federal prison after pleading guilty to multiple charges, including possession with intent to distribute cocaine and illegal firearm possession. U.S. District Judge Virginia Covington handed down the sentence to 30-year-old Noe Alegria, who admitted to the charges on December 3, 2024.
The case, investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, revealed that on July 13, 2023, Alegria sold cocaine to an undercover officer near his home. During the transaction, he had a Glock firearm concealed in his pants pocket. Following the drug sale, the undercover officer inquired about purchasing a firearm, prompting Alegria to invite him inside his residence where he sold the officer a separate firearm. Over the course of the investigation, law enforcement officials purchased or recovered a total of 14 firearms from Alegria.
Alegria’s criminal history includes a 2020 conviction for possessing controlled substances, which prohibits him from legally owning firearms or ammunition under federal law.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. The program focuses on building trust within communities, supporting violence prevention efforts, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes. The prosecution was led by Assistant United States Attorney Michael R. Kenneth.
