HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY., FLA. — A 17-time convicted felon was sentenced to 45 years in prison on Monday for shooting his girlfriend in Tampa in March of 2025.
A jury found Jesse Powell, 50, guilty of attempted manslaughter by act with a weapon and felony battery with a weapon after he shot his girlfriend while she was sleeping in her bed on March 31.
Powell also pleaded guilty to felon in possession of a firearm.
Each charge carried a maximum of 15 years in prison. The judge sentenced him to 15 years on each count to be served consecutively, which equaled a total of 45 years behind bars.
Powell is a 17-time convicted felon, according to the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office, 13th Judicial Circuit.
Assistant State Attorneys Kaley Darrigo and Will Warmke successfully prosecuted this case.
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