BY IRIS B. HOLTON
Sentinel City Editor
A 15-year veteran with the Tampa Fire Department was demoted after he failed to report his service issued handgun missing. The gun was allegedly used in a home invasion in St. Petersburg.
Tampa Fire Chief Tom Forward demoted Fire Investigations Supervisor Milton Jenkins to the rank of Fire Inspector. Chief Forward said the demotion was the result of Inspector Jenkins’ not taking appropriate action when he discovered his service revolver missing.
Chief Forward said, “Supervisor Jenkins, in the course of his duties as an Arson investigator, is responsible for conducting criminal investigations and as a Tampa Police reserve officer, has the powers to make arrest and carry a firearm.
Adrien Jenkins
“We know that his firearm went missing and it is alleged by St. Petersburg Police that this same firearm was used in an armed home invasion.
“The investigation indicates that Supervisor Jenkins had the firearm properly secured at his Lutz home, but his adult son allegedly managed to gain access to it. After having reason to suspect that his son may have been involved with the offense, Supervisor Jenkins failed to take the proper steps.”
Chief Forward further said that rules required that Jenkins immediately notify the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office because he lives in Lutz and the Tampa Police Reserve Force Supervisor because he works for the Tampa Fire Department, that the gun was missing.[private]
In addition to the demotion, Jenkins is no longer a Reserve Police Officer, he no longer has arrest powers, and he can no longer carry a gun.
Chief Forward said while he is “very sensitive to the fact that Supervisor Jenkins was torn between his official duties and his fatherly concerns,” he decision was both unprofessional and unacceptable.
The Home Invasion
According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, on July 22nd, officers responded to a complaint of a possible residential burglary in which shots were fired.
Upon arrival, the investigating officers learned that two Black men ran from the apartment to a vehicle. They also reportedly located a shell casing inside of the apartment.
According to police, Eron McClendon said he heard a knock on the door. When he opened it, he observed a man known only as “Eric,” who had been to his apartment once before.
Eric allegedly attempted to force his way in and McClendon attempted to block him. McClendon told police he then observed another Black man with a gun pointed at him.
McClendon told police he slammed the arm of the suspect with the gun in the door, and he dropped it, but it never fell to the floor. Eric allegedly gained possession of the handgun.
Eric and McClendon then became involved in a struggle over the gun with Eric, who had gained entry into the apartment. McClendon said he pulled the trigger during the struggle to draw attention and to get help.
Both men fled the scene after the gun discharged. A witness obtained the license plate number of the vehicle and reported it, police said.
During the investigation, police reportedly learned that the 1989 Buick was registered to Jenkins.
Police said when contacted about the vehicle, Jenkins reportedly said his son, Adrien, usually drives the vehicle.
Police identified the suspects as 20-year-old Adrien Jenkins and 17-year-old Eric Van Johnson.
After being informed of the situation, Jenkins located the vehicle and contacted the St. Petersburg Police Department. A few days later, he, his son, and his attorney went to the St. Petersburg Police Department, where his son was interviewed and arrested.
Johnson was arrested on July 29th, and was also charged with home invasion burglary.[/private]
