HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, Fla. – A months-long investigation into the Young Godz gang has culminated in the arrest of a 29-year-old man, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office. Lavardis Howard, an eight-time convicted felon, was taken into custody on February 27 in Progress Village following a series of warrants executed by the HCSO Gang Unit.
The investigation centered on gang operations within the Grant Park area of Tampa. Howard, who was recently released from Florida State Prison in October 2025, became the primary focus of detectives during the probe. Law enforcement officials initially sought Howard in connection with a domestic incident that occurred on February 19, which led to the issuance of an arrest warrant.
On February 24, Gang Unit detectives executed a search warrant at Howard’s Tampa residence. The search turned up two pistols, one of which had previously been reported stolen in Tampa…