Northern District of Florida
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Tallahassee Felon Indicted for Unlawful Possession of Controlled Substances & FirearmRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Ishmail Irving Johnson, 36, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for one count of possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana, and a PVP, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.
Johnson appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Charles A. Stampelos in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for August 24, 2026, at 8:15 am before United States District Court Judge Mark E. Walker in Tallahassee, Florida.
If convicted, Johnson faces up to life imprisonment on the drug count and up to 15 years’ imprisonment on the firearm count.
The case is being jointly investigated by Drug Enforcement Administration and the Florida Highway Patrol. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph A. Ravelo.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
National Health Care Fraud Takedown Leads to Forty-One Count Indictment of Pensacola Beach ManRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Today, United States Attorney John P. Heekin announced criminal charges against Dr. Edward Scott Morrison, who is accused of illegally distributing and dispensing controlled substances. The charges filed in federal court are part of the Department of Justice’s 2026 National Health Care Fraud Takedown.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “I am proud to contribute to the success of the National Health Care Fraud Takedown again this year. Dispensing controlled substances without a legitimate medical purpose not only violates federal law, it endangers the lives of the recipients of those powerful drugs. As our country and our state continue to deal with the devastating impacts of the opioid epidemic, it remains vitally important for my office to crack down on fraudulent prescribing practices by medical professionals.”
The charges announced today by U.S. Attorney Heekin are part of a strategically coordinated, nationwide law enforcement action that resulted in charges against 455 defendants, including 90 doctors and other licensed medical professionals, for their alleged participation in health care fraud and opioid abuse schemes involving over $6.5 billion in false claims and significant patient harm, including death. Today’s Takedown represents a new era in federal, state, and international cooperation to combat health care fraud: cases in 56 federal districts and 45 U.S. states and territories, with 50 state Medicaid Fraud Control Units participating, the most in Department history. In addition, unprecedented international cooperation over the two-week Takedown resulted in the apprehension and return to the United States of the following health care fraudsters: one defendant in Kyrenia in connection with an over $3.7 billion scheme; two defendants in Estonia in connection with a previously charged $10.6 billion scheme; and, in the Philippines, one of FBI’s Most Wanted Fraudsters in connection with a previously-charged $1.2 billion telemedicine fraud scheme. The Takedown involves the cutting-edge use of data analytics to target the worst actors; the seizure of over $182 million in cash, luxury vehicles, jewelry, and other assets; and full-spectrum accountability for all criminal actors from doctor’s offices to corporate boardrooms.
Today’s coordinated enforcement action involves a whole-of-government approach, including:
- Actions by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to suspend 1,079 providers and revoke billing privileges for 1,403 providers.
- 48 Civil Monetary Payment settlements amounting to over $73 million, over 1,400 provider exclusions, and 25 actions by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General (“HHS-OIG”) under the Civil Monetary Penalties Law seeking more than $10 billion in payments to the Medicare Trust Fund from payments that CMS caught and suspended before the funds were paid to the fraudulent providers.
- Civil charges against 13 defendants for $14.8 million in health care fraud schemes, as well as civil settlements with 31 defendants totaling $23 million.
- 928 administrative cases by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) seeking the revocation of authority to handle and/or prescribe controlled substances since October 1, 2025.
The following individual was charged in the Northern District of Florida: Edward Scott Morrison, 58, of Pensacola Beach, Florida.
According to court documents, Dr. Edward Scott Morrison was charged by indictment with forty-one counts of distributing and dispensing a controlled substance in connection with the illegal prescribing of at least 25,500 controlled substance pills, including over 22,000 opioid pills and over 3,000 stimulant pills. As alleged in the indictment, Morrison was a licensed physician who wrote, signed, and distributed controlled substance prescriptions—including for oxycodone, hydrocodone, amphetamine, lisdexamfetamine, methylphenidate, testosterone, alprazolam, diazepam—to individuals without determining whether there was a legitimate medical purpose for the medication, without conducting physical examinations, without reviewing and assessing all available historical medical and prescribing records, and without creating and maintaining any records of encounters with those individuals. The indictment further alleged Morrison issued controlled substance prescriptions to individuals simply upon their request or the request of a third party in whatever type, dosage, and quantity desired without evaluating the recipient to determine a legitimate medical purpose or need.
If convicted, Morrison faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment on each count. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Alicia Forbes.
The cases are being prosecuted by the Health Care Fraud Unit’s National Rapid Response, Florida, Gulf Coast, Los Angeles, Midwest, New England, Northeast, Texas, and West Coast Strike Forces; U.S. Attorneys’ Offices for the Middle District of Alabama, District of Arizona, Central District of California, Southern District of California, District of Colorado, District of Connecticut, District of Delaware, Middle District of Florida, Northern District of Florida, Southern District of Florida, Northern District of Georgia, District of Hawaii, District of Idaho, Northern District of Illinois, Northern District of Iowa, Southern District of Iowa, Western District of Kentucky, Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Louisiana, District of Massachusetts, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern District of Mississippi, District of Montana, District of Nebraska, District of New Hampshire, District of New Jersey, District of New Mexico, Eastern District of New York, Northern District of New York, Southern District of New York, Eastern District of North Carolina, Middle District of North Carolina, Western District of North Carolina, Northern District of Ohio, Northern District of Oklahoma, Western District of Oklahoma, District of Oregon, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Middle District of Pennsylvania, Western District of Pennsylvania, District of Puerto Rico, District of Rhode Island, District of South Carolina, District of South Dakota, Middle District of Tennessee, Western District of Tennessee, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, District of Vermont, Eastern District of Virginia, Western District of Virginia, Northern District of West Virginia, Southern District of West Virginia, Eastern District of Wisconsin, and Western District of Wisconsin; and State Attorneys General’s Offices, through their MFCUs, in Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. In addition, the MFCUs for Alabama, North Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, and Virigina participated in the investigation of federal cases announced today.
Descriptions of each case involved in today’s enforcement action are available on the Department’s website here.
The Northern District of Florida, in particular, worked with the Department’s Health Care Fraud Unit of the Fraud Division and the Drug Enforcement Administration to investigate and prosecute the case filed during the Takedown.
On April 7, the Department of Justice announced the creation of the National Fraud Enforcement Division (“Fraud Division”). The Fraud Division is laser-focused on investigating and prosecuting those who commit fraud against the American people. The Department’s work to combat fraud supports President Trump’s Task Force to Eliminate Fraud, a whole-of-government effort chaired by Vice President J.D. Vance to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse within Federal benefit programs.
An indictment, information, or complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Chinese National Sentenced in Conspiracy to Defraud Elderly VictimsRead the Press Release
Gainesville, Florida – Xin Liu, 40, a Chinese national living in Apopka, Florida, was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison for her material participation in an elder fraud scheme. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentencing.
United States Attorney Heekin said: “We are unfortunately seeing a rise in the prevalence of elder fraud schemes orchestrated and executed by foreign nationals who target and financially exploit our senior citizens, depleting their life savings and leaving the victims destitute. Raising awareness of these threats is vitally important to preventing more seniors from falling prey to these fraudsters and their schemes. Our state and federal law enforcement partners are working hard to identify and dismantle those fraud schemes, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute these fraudsters to the fullest extent of the law.”
Court records reflect that the defendant, a Chinese national residing in the United States with an H-1B visa, participated in a fraud scheme that used telephone calls and electronic messages to target elderly victims. Between July 22, 2025, and July 30, 2025, the defendant drove to at least six locations throughout Florida to pick up money from the elderly victims who were targeted in the fraud scheme, including one victim who lived in an assisted living community for seniors in Gainesville, Florida. In total, the defendant attempted to pick up over $95,000 from the victims and was paid using a portion of the fraudulently obtained proceeds. Liu’s actions created substantial financial hardship for at least one elderly victim.
“Stealing from seniors is not just a financial crime, it’s a betrayal of trust,” said FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley. “Older Americans should never have to fear being targeted by criminals looking to drain their life savings. This sentence reflects the FBI’s commitment to protecting older Americans and holding those accountable who target them.”
“The abuse of elderly individuals is shameful and one of the most disturbing crimes affecting our nation,” said Special Agent in Charge Ron Loecker of IRS Criminal Investigation, Florida Field Office. “IRS-CI will continue to work hand-in hand with our partners and devote resources to protect the vulnerable by dismantling criminal activity that targets elderly victims.”
“These criminals preyed on our most vulnerable residents with sophisticated scams, impersonating federal agents to steal hundreds of thousands of dollars,” said Manatee County Sheriff Rick Wells. “Thanks to the swift work of our detectives and federal partners, we’ve stopped this operation and prevented further victims. We urge everyone to stay vigilant and report suspicious activity immediately.”
Gainesville Police Chief Nelson Moya said: “Those who prey on our senior citizens for financial gain should know there is no safe haven in Gainesville. These crimes do more than steal money—they exploit trust, create fear, and can cause significant financial hardship for people who are often living on fixed incomes.”
The case involved an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and the Gainesville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner prosecuted the case.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.
More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints can be filed with the FTC at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Justice Department provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, at www.ovc.gov.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Tallahassee Man Indicted for Firearm Possession by a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – David B. Davis, 43, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.
Davis appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Charles A. Stampelos in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. before District Court Judge Robert L. Hinkle in Tallahassee, Florida.
If convicted, Davis faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Tallahassee Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Prior Felon Pleads Guilty to Firearm OffensesRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Darin Leroy Vanness, 32, of Milton, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This is another successful prosecution under Operation Take Back America, through which we are devoting the considerable resources of the Department of Justice toward protecting our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Keeping our communities safe is accomplished by the excellent work of our state and federal law enforcement officers to keep guns out of the hands of dangerous criminals, like this defendant, and my office will continue to back up those efforts with successful prosecutions and federal prison sentences.”
Court documents reflect that on November 14, 2021, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence in Milton, Florida, in relation to an aggravated assault investigation. In the defendant’s bedroom, investigators located a .22-caliber rifle, more than 190 rounds of ammunition, 3D printers, a safe, and other firearm parts. Inside the safe, investigators located loaded pistols that were made utilizing 3D-printed lower receivers and frames, as well as more ammunition. As a previously convicted felon, Vanness was legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Vanness faces up to ten years’ imprisonment.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Milton Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton is prosecuting the case.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 27, 2026, at 1:00pm. at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell II.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Unauthorized Sale of Adulterated Animal Drugs Lands Repeat Offender in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Scott Robinson, 51, of Pace, Florida, was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to two counts of Drug Adulteration. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Complying with federal laws that are in place to ensure the safety of regulated medications is not optional. This defendant knowingly flouted those requirements for several years, but thanks to the excellent investigative work of our federal law enforcement partners, his scheme has been dismantled and now he will be held accountable.”
Court documents reflect that from 2022 to 2025, the defendant, via his website, advertised and sold the animal drug toltrazuril to customers across the United States. Under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, toltrazuril is deemed an adulterated new animal drug, which is subject to specific requirements for its production, labeling, and sale. The Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted multiple purchases of items labeled and advertised as toltrazuril from the defendant’s website. Those items were tested by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and confirmed to contain toltrazuril. The defendant never complied with FDA regulations regarding his production, labeling, and sale of toltrazuril.
“This sentencing reflects the serious public safety risk created when someone knowingly distributes adulterated and unsafe animal medications,” said FBI Assistant Director in Charge James C. Barnacle, Jr. “The FBI continues to work with our partners to investigate and hold accountable anyone who profits from the sale of counterfeit or contaminated drugs.”
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Christopher C. Patterson and Ward Narramore.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Panama City Felon Indicted for Distribution of Drugs & Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Jhi Chadron Williams, 46, of Panama City, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for one count of distribution of cocaine and marijuana and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charges.
Williams appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Charles A. Stampelos in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026, at 8:30 am, before District Judge Mark Walker in Tallahassee, Florida.
Williams faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment on the distribution of cocaine and marijuana count and up to 15 years’ imprisonment on the firearm count.
The case was jointly investigated by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives with assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric K. Mountin.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Homeland Security Task Force Initiative Leads to Indictment of Tallahassee ManRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Malcolm Akeem Holloway, 22, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.
Holloway appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026, at 8:30 am before District Court Judge Mark E. Walker in Tallahassee, Florida.
If convicted, Holloway faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment.
The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Tallahassee Police Department, the United States Marshals Service, and the United States Postal Inspection Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF comprises agents and officers from multiple agencies with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Violent Felon Pleads Guilty to Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Michael Stephen Johnson, 59, of Pensacola, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Operation Take Back America continues to deliver wins for the citizens of the Northern District of Florida, and this successful prosecution demonstrates my office’s firm commitment to aggressively pursuing the violent criminals who have threatened the safety of our streets for far too long.”
Court documents reflect that on July 16, 2025, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a shooting at a residence located on Wilson Avenue, in Pensacola, Florida. Once there, deputies detained the defendant and transported him to the Sheriff’s Office for an interview. During the interview, the defendant admitted to possessing a firearm, which he described as a .22-caliber assault rifle, and stated that he purchased the firearm from the victim within the past few months for approximately $150.00. Investigators obtained a residential search warrant for the Wilson Avenue residence and found a black Mossberg Intl Model 702 Plinkster, semi-automatic .22 LR caliber rifle with a magazine inside one of the bedrooms. At the time of the arrest, the defendant was a convicted felon and could not legally possess a firearm based upon his multiple prior convictions for aggravated assault and bank robbery.
Johnson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of fifteen years’ imprisonment up to a maximum of life imprisonment.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Thomas S.P. Geeker is prosecuting the case.
Sentencing is to be scheduled after the resolution of Johnson’s related state case and will be held at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell II.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Panama City Beach Man Indicted for Attempted Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Tyler Ryan Lee Heimer, 27, of Panama City Beach, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for attempted enticement of a minor. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charges.
Heimer appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for August 24, 2026 at 8:30 am, before United States District Court Judge Mark E. Walker in Tallahassee, Florida.
If convicted, Heimer faces a minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment.
The case was jointly investigated by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric K. Mountin.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Madison Man Federally Charged for Armed Meth Trafficking and Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Frederick Allen Smith, Jr., 54, of Madison, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges today.
Smith, Jr. appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026, at 8:30 am before United States District Court Judge Robert L. Hinkle.
If convicted, Smith, Jr. faces a minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment, and up to life imprisonment, on the possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine count; a minimum of 5 years’ imprisonment consecutive to other sentences on the possession of a firearm in furtherance count; and up to 15 years’ imprisonment on the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon count.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Emma Schwan is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Two Gainesville Men Indicted for Drug ConspiracyRead the Press Release
Gainesville, Florida – Cleveland Tyrone Ferguson II, 54, and Damien Charles Curtis, 46, of Gainesville, Florida, have been indicted in federal court for conspiracy to possess with the intent to distribute over 500 grams of cocaine. Additionally, Ferguson has been separately indicted for possession with the intent to distribute cocaine, while Curtis has been separately charged with distribution of 500 grams or more of cocaine and possession with the intent to distribute 5 grams or more of methamphetamine and crack cocaine. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges.
Ferguson and Curtis appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Midori A. Lowry for their initial appearance at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, Florida. Trial is scheduled for July 22, 2026, at 8:30 a.m., in Gainesville before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor.
If convicted, Ferguson faces a sentence of at least 10 years’ imprisonment and the possibility of life imprisonment for each charge. Curtis faces between 5 and 40 years’ imprisonment for each charge.
This case was investigated by the Gainesville-Alachua County Drug Task Force, the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Tallahassee Serial Felon Indicted on Gun ChargeRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Willie Harris, III, 48, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.
Harris appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026, at 8:30 am before United States District Court Judge Mark E. Walker in Tallahassee, Florida.
If convicted, Harris faces a minimum of 15 years’ imprisonment.
The case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith L. Steer.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Fourteen New Indictments Returned, Four Guilty Pleas Entered for Immigration Offenses in MayRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Pensacola and Gainesville – Today, United States Attorney John P. Heekin announced that 14 previously deported illegal aliens have been separately indicted by a federal grand jury for illegal reentry into the United States in the month of May.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Compliance with our nation’s immigration laws is not optional. We welcome all legal immigrants who come here the right way and respect our laws, but for those who think they can violate our laws with impunity my office will swiftly deliver a dose of reality with aggressive prosecutions, federal prison sentences, and deportations. The citizens of the Northern District of Florida have a right to expect their federal government to secure our borders and enforce our nation’s laws, and I intend to fulfill that duty as long as I serve as the United States Attorney.”
According to court records, the 14 illegal aliens indicted in the month of May include:
- Cirilo Perez-Michua, 38, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Walton County in April 2026, after previously being deported three times in 2009, once in 2024 and again in 2025. Trial is scheduled for August 3, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida, before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
- Juan Contreras-Vilches, 47, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Okaloosa County in May 2026, after previously being deported twice in 2017, twice in 2018 and once in 2019. The defendant pleaded guilty on June 5, 2026, and sentencing is scheduled for June 18, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida, before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
- Pascual Hernandez-Shilon, 56, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Walton County in April 2026, after previously being deported twice in 2011 and twice in 2019. Trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida, before District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
- Joel Gomez Soto, 33, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Okaloosa County in January 2026, after previously being deported in 2015 and 2017. Trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida, before District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
- Marco Antonio Montes-Hernandez, 36, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Bay County in March 2026, after previously being deported in 2008 and 2018. Trial is scheduled for August 3, 2026, in Tallahassee, Florida, before District Court Judge Mark E. Walker.
- Pablo Gomez-Sarmiento, 25, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Alachua County in February 2025, after previously being deported in 2020. Trial is scheduled for July 22, 2026, in Gainesville, Florida, before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor.
- Jose Barahona-Paz, 26, of Honduras, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Walton County in April 2026, after previously being deported in 2019. Trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida, before District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
- Esteban Rigoberto Hernandez-Muniz, 54, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Santa Rosa County in April 2026, after previously being deported in 2019. The defendant pleaded guilty on June 4, 2026, and sentencing is scheduled for June 18, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida, before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
- Laura Santiago-Garfias, 27, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Okaloosa County in April 2026, after previously being deported in 2019 and 2020. Trial is scheduled for August 3, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida, before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
- Iran Gomez-Aguilera, 43, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Okaloosa County in May 2026, after previously being deported in 2019. The defendant pleaded guilty on June 4, 2026, and sentencing is scheduled for June 18, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida, before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
- Victor Lopez, 30, of Guatemala, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Okaloosa County in May 2026, after previously being deported in 2017. Trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida, before District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
- Juan Molina-Hernandez, 36, of Honduras, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Okaloosa County in May 2026, after previously being deported in 2023. The defendant pleaded guilty on May 26, 2026, and sentencing is scheduled for June 18, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida, before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
- Jose Patzan-Camey, 28, of Guatemala, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Santa Rosa County in April 2026, after previously being deported in 2018. Trial is scheduled for August 3, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida, before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
- Andres Perez-Hernandez, 46, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Bay County in May 2026, after previously being deported in 2012. Trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026, in Tallahassee, Florida, before District Court Judge Mark E. Walker.
The penalty for illegally reentering the United States after deportation is a maximum of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Gomez Soto faces a maximum of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine pursuant to allegations of prior convictions qualifying for an increased maximum sentence.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
The cases involved investigations by Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement and Removal Operations with the assistance of the Florida Highway Patrol, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Shalimar Police Department, the Panama City Beach Police Department, and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.
Assistant United States Attorneys Meredith L. Steer, Alicia H. Forbes, Jeffrey M. Tharp, Jessica S. Etherton, Walter E. Narramore, Thomas S.P. Geeker, Brooke Lindsay, Joseph A. Ravelo, and Tyler Fleming are prosecuting the cases.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Florida Couple Indicted for Methamphetamine and Fentanyl Distribution, Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Andre Darrell Perry, 37, of Pensacola, Florida, and Loredano Alessandra Bassolino, 38, of Navarre, Florida have each been indicted in federal court on one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. Perry was also indicted on one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges.
Perry appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Hope T. Cannon for his initial appearance at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida. Bassolino appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho for her initial appearance at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida. Trial is scheduled for August 17, 2026, at 8:30 am in Pensacola before District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
If convicted, Perry faces at least 10 years’ imprisonment, and up to life imprisonment, on the drug possession count; at least 5 years’ imprisonment, and up to life imprisonment, on the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense count; and up to 15 years’ imprisonment on the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon count. Bassolino faces at least 5 years’, and up to 40 years’, imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Marshals Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Thomas S.P. Geeker.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Tallahassee Serial Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun and Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Forrest Alan Price, 32, of Tallahassee, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of synthetic cathinone and 5 grams or more of methamphetamine with intent to distribute; carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “With a dozen prior felony convictions, this serial offender has made a career out of terrorizing our communities and flooding our streets with deadly narcotics. Enough is enough. President Donald J. Trump and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche launched Operation Take Back America to deploy the full might of the Department of Justice toward incapacitating drug trafficking violent offenders, like this defendant, and that is exactly what my office will continue to do with successful prosecutions like this one until the citizens of the Northern District of Florida get the safe, drug-free streets they deserve.”
Court documents reflect that in February 2026, the Tallahassee Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a suspicious vehicle following surveillance of a suspected drug house. The defendant was the passenger in the vehicle, and officers observed him trying to conceal several baggies of drugs in his lap. The defendant briefly resisted officers’ commands when asked to step out of the vehicle but was eventually handcuffed. Officers found that the defendant tried to conceal baggies containing 13.3 grams of synthetic cathinone and 6.8 grams of pure methamphetamine. Officers used a key fob taken from the defendant to open the locked glove compartment and found a 9-millimeter pistol on top of a small safe. The safe was found to contain 24.16 grams of pure methamphetamine, additional synthetic cathinone, marijuana, Alprazolam pills, and items used to package drugs for street sale.
The defendant was prohibited from possessing firearms due to 12 prior felony convictions. His convictions included a prior federal case involving drug trafficking and firearm charges.
The defendant faces at least 15 years’ imprisonment and a maximum potential sentence of Life for his current charges.
The case involved an investigation by the Tallahassee Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 25, 2026, at 11:00 am, in the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Southport Man Federally Indicted for Child Exploitation CrimesRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – John Massimiani, III, 46, of Southport, Florida, has been indicted in federal court on one count of transportation of child pornography, one count of possession of child pornography, and one count of destruction of property to prevent its search and seizure. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charges.
Massimiani appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026, at 8:30 am, before District Judge Mark E. Walker in Tallahassee, Florida.
If convicted, Massimiani faces a minimum of 5 years’ imprisonment, and up to 20 years’ imprisonment, on the transportation of child pornography count. Massimiani also faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment on the possession of child pornography count, and up to 5 years’ imprisonment for the destruction of property count.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith L. Steer.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Record-breaking Tallahassee Police Department Drug Bust Leads to Federal Indictment of Drug TraffickerRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Chandale Maurice Mills, 42, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for possession with intent to distribute multiple controlled substances including more than 5 kilograms of cocaine, 500 grams of methamphetamine, 40 grams of fentanyl, and 50 kilograms of marijuana; possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking; and possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charges.
Mills appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for July 27, 2026, at 8:30 am before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor in Tallahassee, Florida.
If convicted as charged, Mills faces ten years’ to Life imprisonment on the drug trafficking count, five years to Life for possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, and up to 15 years’ imprisonment for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
The case was investigated by the Tallahassee Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Pensacola Felon Indicted on Narcotics and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – James Darnell Shoemo, Jr., 30, of Pensacola, Florida, has been indicted in federal court on one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges.
Shoemo appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Charles A. Stampelos for his initial appearance at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida. Trial is scheduled for September 8, 2026, at 8:30 am in Pensacola before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
If convicted, Shoemo, Jr. faces up to 30 years’ imprisonment on the possession with intent to distribute marijuana count; up to 15 years’ imprisonment on the possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon count; and a minimum mandatory 5 years’ imprisonment, and up to life imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence on the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Former Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty to Child Exploitation and Distributing Child Pornography as a Result of Operation Relentless JusticeRead the Press Release
Gainesville, Florida – Devin Scott Waldeck, 35, of Cross City, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of child exploitation and one count of the distribution of child pornography. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “The sexual exploitation of a child is a horrific crime, and the distribution of child sexual abuse material is a continuing offense that has the effect of re-victimizing the innocent child each and every time those disturbing images and videos are shared. Our state and federal law enforcement partners are relentlessly pursuing the sexual predators who seek to victimize and sexually exploit children, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute those sick individuals to ensure they are locked away and unable to harm our kids.”
Court documents reflect that, in November 2025, law enforcement became aware the defendant, posing as the mother of a minor child, was using the online Reddit platform to discuss the sexual exploitation of that minor child. In online communications with another Reddit user, the defendant offered the minor child to the Reddit user and graphically described ways the user could sexually exploit the minor. The defendant saved explicit videos and pictures of the minor child in a secret app on his cell phone along with other sexually explicit videos and photos of other named individuals. The defendant had hundreds of communications with other Reddit users discussing sexual “hookups,” including more than a dozen conversations where he stated he had sexual encounters or wanted to have sexual encounters with minors.
The defendant faces a mandatory minimum of fifteen years’ imprisonment and up to thirty years’ imprisonment for the child exploitation count, and a mandatory minimum of five years’ imprisonment and up to twenty years’ imprisonment for distribution of child pornography. Both counts include up to a lifetime of supervision upon release.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christie S. Utt.
Sentencing for is scheduled for August 25, 2026, at 2:00 pm, at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor.
This case was a result of Operation Relentless Justice, a coordinated enforcement effort to identify, track and arrest child sex predators. For more information, please visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-edva/pr/justice-department-announces-results-operation-relentless-justice.
These operations underscore the Department’s unwavering commitment to protecting children and combating child sexual exploitation. This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice. Led by U.S. Attorneys' Offices and CEOS, Project Safe Childhood marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit Justice.gov/PSC.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
210-Month Sentence for Drug Trafficker Following Successful Homeland Security Task Force ProsecutionRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Alejandro Palomino-Amador, a/k/a “Ichi”, 33, of Escondido, California was sentenced to 17.5 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Dismantling this large-scale drug trafficking operation and sending its participants to federal prison for decades-long sentences vindicates the untold devastation they inflicted upon our communities by flooding our streets with deadly poison. I deeply appreciate the outstanding investigative work that went into these cases from our state and federal law enforcement partners, and reaffirm my office’s commitment to aggressively prosecuting anyone who peddles meth, fentanyl, and other deadly narcotics in the Northern District of Florida.”
Palomino was the last defendant sentenced in a drug conspiracy case that spanned several years and resulted in the conviction of 15 defendants. Palomino was a large-volume drug dealer in southern California and he was the supplier for co-defendant Phillip Martin, who distributed methamphetamine and fentanyl to co-conspirator Ohagee Curry in Pensacola, Florida. On August 17, 2022, law enforcement officers stopped Martin on I-15 in southern California immediately after surveilling a drug deal between Palomino and Martin. Officers recovered 77 pounds of methamphetamine from Martin’s vehicle. Later that day, law enforcement searched a storage unit belonging to Palomino and found another 80 pounds of methamphetamine and over 4,000 grams of fentanyl. Martin, who had a significant criminal history, received a 40-year sentence in 2024. Curry received a 10-year sentence in 2025. Palomino was arrested late last year crossing the border between Mexico and the United States.
“Getting this transnational drug trafficker off the streets will make our North Florida communities safer as well as communities around the country,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar, Tampa Field Division. “This multi-year investigation was successful because of our agents and great law enforcement partners. I can’t thank them enough.”
“This sentence sends a clear message that drug traffickers who bring methamphetamine and fentanyl into our communities will be held accountable,” said Sheriff Bob Johnson. “The volume of narcotics involved in this conspiracy had the potential to cause tremendous harm throughout Northwest Florida. I commend the outstanding work of our deputies and our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners whose dedication and collaboration helped dismantle this trafficking network. Together, we remain committed to protecting our citizens and keeping these deadly drugs off our streets.”
Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said: “We applaud the U.S. Attorney’s Office for securing this important sentencing. Our strong partnership is delivering real results—removing dangerous criminals from our streets and making Escambia County safer for all families.”
The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Escondido (California) Police Department, and the Riverside County (California) Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Walter Narramore.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF comprises agents and officers from multiple agencies with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Tallahassee Felon Indicted for Multiple Counts of Gun PossessionRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Nathan Taylor Porter, 21, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for two counts of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.
Porter appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Change of plea is scheduled for June 15, 2026, at 11:00 am before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor in Tallahassee, Florida.
Porter faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment on each count if convicted of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a felon.
The case is being jointly investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Tallahassee Police Department, and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Joseph A. Ravelo.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Georgia Man Indicted for Distributing Methamphetamine in the Northern District of FloridaRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Jimmy Randell Chason, 69, of Cairo, Georgia, has been indicted in federal court on three counts of distribution of methamphetamine and one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charges.
Chason appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Charles A. Stampelos in Tallahassee, Florida. Change of plea is scheduled for June 15, 2026, at 11:30 am before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor in Tallahassee, Florida.
If convicted, Chason faces 10 years’ to life imprisonment on each count.
The case is being investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and North Florida High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA). The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric K. Mountin.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Crestview Drug Traffickers IndictedRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Arzalea Teshean McLaughlin, 37, Benjamin Eugene Mack, 54, and Roger Cornell Daniels, 37, all of Crestview, Florida, have been indicted in federal court on charges of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and cocaine base, conspiracy to commit unlawful use of communications facility, and possession with intent to distribute cocaine. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charge.
McLaughlin, Mack and Daniels appeared in federal court for their arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho in Pensacola, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026 at 8:30 a.m. before District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
If convicted as charged, McLaughlin and Mack face a minimum mandatory of 10 years’ imprisonment, and up to life in prison, and Daniels faces a minimum mandatory of 5 years’ imprisonment, and up to a total of 74 years’ imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations, and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Forbes.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Seattle Man Pleads Guilty to Multiple Child Sexual Exploitation OffensesRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Willard Lawrence Gibson, Jr., 48, of Seattle, Washington, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of attempted sexual exploitation of children, one count of attempted enticement of a minor, one count of attempted transfer of obscene material to a minor, and one count of distribution of child pornography. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This case is a reminder of the many threats our children face online from predators, like this defendant, seeking to sexually exploit and victimize them. Our state and federal law enforcement partners are relentlessly pursuing those sick individuals through undercover operations like we saw in this case, but parents also need to be aware of what online platforms their children are using and who they are communicating with to ensure kids don’t fall prey to online exploitation. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute these cases and seek maximum punishments to keep these sexual predators locked behind bars and away from our kids.”
Court documents reflect that in July 2025, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, Homeland Security Investigations, and other state and federal law enforcement agencies conducted an undercover operation focused on identifying individuals using the internet to sexually exploit children. During that operation, Gibson began communicating through a social media platform with an undercover officer and the conversation later moved to text messaging. Gibson sent the undercover officer two images of child sexual abuse material. Further, court records show that, on multiple occasions, Gibson asked the undercover officer to produce child pornography images and send them to him. When Gibson was arrested in Seattle, his cell phone was seized as evidence. After a search warrant was obtained, law enforcement discovered multiple images and videos of child sexual abuse material on Gibson’s phone. Gibson’s phone also contained other evidence confirming that he communicated with the undercover officer.
Gibson faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, up to a maximum of 30 years’ imprisonment for attempted sexual exploitation of children, a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years to a maximum of life imprisonment for attempted enticement of a minor, a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years up to a maximum of 20 years imprisonment for distribution of child pornography, and up to 10 years imprisonment for attempted transfer of obscene materials to minors. Gibson also faces a lifetime term of supervision upon release.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 24, 2026, at 2:00 pm, at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida before United States District Judge Robert L. Hinkle.
This case was a joint investigation by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the Seattle Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Panama City Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Kendrick Parham, 47, of Panama City, Florida, was sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Under Operation Take Back America, my office will continue to deploy the full might of the Department of Justice toward removing the perpetrators of violent crime from our communities until our citizens get the safe, crime-free streets they deserve.”
Court documents reflect that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives assisted the Bay County Sheriff’s Office in the execution of a search warrant at the defendant’s residence in Panama City, during which five ounces of methamphetamine were discovered, and he was arrested on state charges. While in jail, the defendant – a four-time convicted felon legally prohibited from possessing firearms – made incriminating statements during a monitored phone call about the presence of a firearm in his residence that was not previously found by officers during the search. After obtaining a new search warrant based on those incriminating statements, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office conducted another search of the defendant’s residence and recovered the firearm.
Parham’s prison term will be followed by three years of supervised release. Forfeiture was ordered as to all four recovered firearms.
The case involved an investigation by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Honduran Illegal Alien Sentenced to 121 Months in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation CrimesRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Israel Ramos Portillo, a/k/a “Juan Carlos”, 39, a citizen of Honduras who resided in Coffee Springs, Alabama, was sentenced to 121 months in federal prison after a jury previously found him guilty of attempting to entice a minor to engage in unlawful sexual activity and traveling with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This criminal illegal alien sought to sexually exploit and victimize a child, and drove for hours across state lines to accomplish that heinous crime. Thanks to the excellent investigative work by our state and federal law enforcement partners and the outstanding trial prosecution by my office, this predator will instead find himself in federal prison for more than a decade. As this case demonstrates, it is imperative that we secure our borders and enforce our immigration laws to repel and expel criminal illegal aliens from our country to keep our communities – and our kids – safe.”
Trial testimony and evidence demonstrated that on April 12, 2025, state and federal law enforcement agencies conducted an online undercover operation aimed at identifying adults using the internet to sexually exploit children. During the operation, the defendant began interacting with law enforcement’s undercover profile on a dating website, through which the detective was posing as a 14-year-old child.
Through numerous text messages over a two-week period, the defendant engaged in sexually explicit conversations and expressed interest in having sex with the child, ultimately arranging to travel from his home in Alabama to Tallahassee to meet the child and go to a hotel to have sex. When the defendant arrived at the proposed meeting location, law enforcement arrested him and seized his cell phone as evidence. After searching the defendant’s cell phone, law enforcement confirmed that he was the person communicating with the undercover detective and that he traveled across state lines with intent to engage in sexual conduct with the fictitious 14-year-old child.
After serving his term of 121 months’ imprisonment, Portillo will have to serve 5 years of supervised release and register as a sexual offender. He will be held for deportation proceedings at the conclusion of his federal prison sentence.
“This criminal illegal alien is a predator who sought to exploit the vulnerability of a child online,” said Homeland Security Investigations Tampa acting Deputy Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno. “Child predators will find no safe haven as HSI, alongside our partners, will relentlessly pursue those who attempt to harm our youth. Protecting children from these heinous crimes is of highest importance, and threats to their safety will not be tolerated.”
The case involved a joint investigation by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. The case was being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
This case is also part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Gainesville Career Criminal Sentenced to 174 Months in Federal Prison for Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
Gainesville, Florida – Tyrese Da’jon Jones, 26, was sentenced to 14 and a half years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This violent career criminal has amply demonstrated that the only way we can stop him from committing further crimes and endangering our community is by keeping him locked behind bars. Thanks to the investigative work of our state and federal law enforcement partners, and the aggressive prosecution by my office, that is exactly what we will do. The safety of our communities is not negotiable, and my office will continue to fight hard every day to remove dangerous criminals from our neighborhoods and deliver the crime-free streets our citizens deserve.”
Court records reflect that on July 2, 2025, the defendant held a co-worker at gunpoint inside her vehicle for several hours. When law enforcement arrived, the defendant fled on foot and pointed his firearm at officers before he was apprehended. At the time of his arrest, the defendant was a felon and could not legally possess a firearm based upon his multiple prior convictions for offenses involving drugs and guns.
“This sentencing is the result of outstanding work by our deputies and our federal law enforcement partners. On July 2, 2025, Tyrese Jones, a convicted felon who had no business possessing a firearm, held a female victim against her will at gunpoint and then pointed that firearm at responding deputies. The deputies involved were fortunate to escape without injury and were able to safely take him into custody before anyone was seriously hurt or killed,” said Sheriff Chad Scott. “This was an extremely dangerous situation created by an individual who demonstrated a complete disregard for the law and the safety of others. Thanks to this federal sentence, a violent offender will remain off our streets and will not be able to threaten our community in the near future. We remain committed to aggressively pursuing those who illegally possess firearms and use them to victimize others.”
The case involved an investigation by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Homeland Security Task Force Case Sends Fort Walton Beach Man to Federal Prison for Drug CrimeRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Travaess McLemore, 41, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida was sentenced to 16 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This successful prosecution and substantial prison sentence is an incredible win for the public safety of our communities, and fulfills the objective of the Homeland Security Task Force to dedicate a whole-of-government approach toward eliminating drug trafficking operations in the Northern District of Florida. We will celebrate this win and re-double our efforts to eradicate the scourge of methamphetamine and other deadly narcotics from our District to deliver the safe, drug-free streets our citizens deserve.”
On August 13, 2025, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on the defendant’s vehicle. During the traffic stop a canine alerted to the odor of narcotics. A search of the vehicle revealed 84 grams of methamphetamine. Later that day, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence and located approximately 1,548 grams of methamphetamine. The defendant was subjected to a sentencing enhancement for a prior serious drug felony conviction in a 2017 drug trafficking case.
“The amount of methamphetamine seized in this case had the potential to cause tremendous harm to countless individuals and families throughout Okaloosa County and beyond,” said Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden. “I’m proud of the deputies, K9 teams, investigators, and our federal partners whose work not only led to the removal of a major source of narcotics, but also ensured the person responsible faces the consequences.”
“Methamphetamine—one of the more commonly trafficked substances in the Florida Pan Handle—destroys families and communities,” said Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar, DEA Tampa Field Division. “We have arrested numerous methamphetamine distributors in this region and will not stop until these criminals have been brought to justice.”
The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Tharp.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF comprises agents and officers from multiple agencies with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Gainesville Serial Felon Pleads Guilty to Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
Gainesville, Florida – Kenneth Ellis Wetherington, 60, of Gainesville, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “The safety of our communities is not negotiable. To reduce violent crime, it is necessary to incapacitate chronic violent offenders, like this defendant, through robust prosecutions and strict incarceration policies. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute crimes like this to deliver the safe communities our citizens deserve.”
Court documents reflect that on the evening of November 21, 2025, law enforcement was dispatched to an apartment complex in reference to multiple reports of shots fired. Upon further investigation, law enforcement learned that the defendant had discharged several “warning shots” from a firearm during a confrontation with other individuals on the property. Law enforcement detained the defendant and obtained a search warrant for his apartment, where they located a handgun, a shotgun, and multiple types of ammunition. The defendant is not permitted to have any firearms or ammunition because he has eleven felony convictions, including a prior conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Wetherington faces a maximum term of fifteen years’ imprisonment.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Gainesville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner is prosecuting the case.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 4, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville before Chief United States District Judge Allen Winsor.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Tallahassee Convicted Felon Indicted for Possession of a Firearm & AmmunitionRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Jarvis Wayne Myers, 40, has been indicted in federal court for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.
Myers appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick, in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026, in Tallahassee, Florida before United States District Court Judge Mark E. Walker.
If convicted, Myers faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment.
This case was jointly investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Emma Schwan and Jason R. Coody.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Panama City Serial Felon Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possessing FirearmsRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – John D. Ford, 49, of Panama City, Florida, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This serial offender had a dozen prior felony convictions, and continued to not only illegally possess firearms but also trafficked those guns to other criminals. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute career criminals, like this defendant, to keep our communities safe.”
Court documents reflect that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives assisted the Bay County Sheriff’s Office in the execution of a search warrant at the defendant’s residence in Panama City. Three firearms were found in the defendant’s bedroom (a short-barreled shotgun and two pistols), along with job application paperwork with the defendant’s biographical information on it and court paperwork for the defendant. The defendant admitted that one of the firearms belonged to him. Law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the defendant’s cellphone and discovered messages that indicated that the defendant was trading or selling the recovered firearms. The defendant was prohibited from possessing firearms because of 12 prior felony convictions.
Ford’s federal prison term will be followed by two years of supervised release. Forfeiture was ordered as to the recovered firearms.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.
These cases are part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit theU.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Gainesville Felon Indicted for Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
Gainesville, Florida – Terry Lajace Lee, 43, of Gainesville, Florida, has been indicted in federal court on one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charge.
Lee appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Midori A. Lowry for his initial appearance at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, Florida. Trial is scheduled for July 22, 2026, in Gainesville before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor.
If convicted, Lee faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Gainesville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Former Tallahassee Postal Employee & Accomplice Plead Guilty to Federal CrimesRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida –Taija Avion Smith, 25, and Jaheed Anthony Williams, 24, both of Tallahassee, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit mail theft, theft of a mail key, bank fraud conspiracy, and multiple counts of aggravated identity theft. Williams also pleaded guilty to 14 counts of bank fraud. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Postal service employees occupy positions of public trust through which they are expected to responsibly process and deliver our nation’s mail. This defendant repeatedly violated that public trust while seeking to enrich herself and her co-defendant at the expense of others, but thanks to this multi-agency investigation and successful prosecution their scheme has been dismantled and federal prison awaits both defendants.”
Court documents reflect that between March 11, 2021, and May 21, 2024, Smith was employed by the United States Postal Service, in Tallahassee, Florida. Due to her employment, Smith had access to a postal key, which she stole and gave to her co-defendant, Williams. Together, Smith and Williams conspired to steal U.S. Mail, which included stealing mailed checks that they fraudulently deposited in financial institutions and thereafter split the proceeds of their scheme. Court records also show that Smith fraudulently received and used online bank login credentials of other individuals as part of the conspiracy.
Smith and Williams face the following penalties: up to 5 years’ imprisonment on the conspiracy to commit mail theft count; up to 10 years’ imprisonment on the unlawful possession or theft of a mail key; up to 30 years’ imprisonment on the bank fraud conspiracy count; and a mandatory consecutive term of 2 years’ imprisonment for each of the aggravated identity theft counts. Williams also faces up to 5 years’ imprisonment on the theft of mail count and up to 30 years’ imprisonment for each bank fraud count.
This case was jointly investigated by the Tallahassee Police Department, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the United States Postal Service - Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen.
Smith’s sentencing is scheduled for July 14, 2026, at 2:00 pm at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida, before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor.
Williams’s sentencing is scheduled for August 10, 2026, at 3:30 pm at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida, before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Pensacola Felon Sentenced to Eight Years in Federal Prison for Possession of FirearmsRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Jason Wayne Coleman, 41, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to eight years in federal prison for two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This serial felon has been a criminal menace to our communities for far too long, but thanks to the excellent work of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office with support from our federal law enforcement partners, he will now spend years behind bars where he belongs. This successful prosecution by my office is yet another win under Operation Take Back America, through which President Donald J. Trump and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche have directed the Department of Justice to deploy its full might toward removing violent career criminals, like this defendant, from our streets to deliver the safe, crime-free communities our citizens deserve.”
Court documents reflect that the defendant, a multi-time convicted felon who is legally barred from possessing firearms, was out on bond after being arrested in Indiana for firearm-related charges in January 2022. On October 2, 2024, a deputy with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office was on routine patrol when he conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle driven by the defendant. The defendant attempted to flee on foot from the deputy, but was apprehended. In addition to having a suspended driver’s license, the defendant was found to be in possession of a loaded .32 caliber handgun under the driver’s seat of the vehicle as well as marijuana. The defendant was arrested but was able to bond out of jail.
On May 13, 2025, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a motorized minibike being driven by the defendant. While arresting the defendant for driving on a suspended license and resisting law enforcement, deputies located a loaded .38-caliber revolver in his pocket.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Bristol Man Sentenced for Attempted Murders of ATF AgentsRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – John Caleb Allen, 26, of Bristol, Florida, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for two counts of attempted murder of a federal agent; two counts of forcibly assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon; two counts of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; two counts of transfer of a machinegun; possession of an unregistered or unmarked silencer; and making a false statement to a federal firearm licensee. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “The case exemplifies the incredible danger our brave men and women in law enforcement face as they keep our communities safe from violent offenders like this defendant. The bravery of these ATF agents is matched only by the incredible professionalism with which they acted when they came under withering fire from the defendant. As the substantial sentence imposed on this defendant shows, attacks on law enforcement will be prosecuted by my office to the fullest extent of the law.”
Evidence at trial demonstrated that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) had been investigating the defendant for the illegal sale of machine gun conversion devices (MCDs). On June 3, 2025, ATF used a confidential source to purchase a firearm and a MCD from the defendant. One June 23, 2025, ATF used a confidential source to purchase 13 MCDs and two firearms from the defendant. Officers watched the defendant pick up the two firearms he sold to the confidential source from a federal firearms licensee (FFL), where he lied on ATF Form 4473. Based on their investigation, ATF obtained a federal search warrant for the defendant’s house.
While attempting to execute the search warrant, the defendant fired at the ATF agents approximately 14 times as they approached his front door. One of the officers had a bullet pass through his shirtsleeve and another officer was struck by a bullet in his body armor, but neither was seriously injured. Without returning fire, agents were able to get the defendant to peacefully exit the residence with his hands up several minutes later.
Agents located numerous firearms, including an unregistered firearm silencer, during the residential search.
“This investigation revealed extreme criminal behavior deserving of a steep penalty,” said ATF Tampa Field Division’s Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. “Florida residents are much safer with violent criminals like this individual in federal prison.”
Liberty County Sheriff Dusty Arnold said: “This sentence sends a clear message that violence against law enforcement officers will not be tolerated. Every day, law enforcement officers at the local, state, and federal levels put their lives on the line to protect our communities. In this case, ATF agents came under gunfire while simply carrying out their sworn duties, yet they responded with incredible professionalism, restraint, and courage.
I am grateful that no officers lost their lives during this incident and commend the ATF, DEA, and all agencies involved for their outstanding work throughout this investigation. The Liberty County Sheriff's Office was proud to assist in this case, and we remain committed to standing alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure violent offenders are held accountable for their actions.”
The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain prosecuted the case.
“The men and women in law enforcement serve daily to protect our communities, state, and nation. Attacks on law enforcement officers, like the one committed in this case, will not be tolerated.” said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass “The safety of our law enforcement brothers and sisters is essential to our families, communities, visitors, and the great state of Florida.”
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Repeat Felon Pleads Guilty to Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
Gainesville, Florida – Robert Anthony Yancy, Jr., 25, of Tampa, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Convicted felons are legally prohibited from possessing firearms because they have demonstrated through their criminality that they pose a danger to the law-abiding citizens of our community. Keeping our citizens safe from the predations of serial felons, like this defendant, remains a top priority for my office, and we will continue to aggressively prosecute these cases to deliver the safe streets our citizens deserve.”
Court documents reflect that on the evening of January 2, 2026, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on the defendant’s vehicle. During the stop, law enforcement detected the odor of marijuana and saw evidence of marijuana inside, which led to a search of the vehicle. In addition to locating marijuana and a scale with residue, law enforcement found a handgun in the vehicle. The defendant cannot possess a handgun because he is a six-time prior convicted felon.
Yancy faces a maximum term of fifteen years’ imprisonment.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner is prosecuting the case.
Sentencing is scheduled for August 4, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville before Chief United States District Judge Allen Winsor.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Pensacola Felon Indicted for Gun & Drug PossessionRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Joseph Jerome Reynolds, Jr., 31, has been indicted in federal court for one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and two counts of possession of a controlled substance. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charges.
Reynolds, Jr. appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho in Pensacola, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for July 6, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida before United States District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
Reynolds, Jr. faces a maximum of 15 years’ imprisonment if convicted of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and up to three years’ imprisonment for each count of possession of a controlled substance.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Old Town Meth Trafficker Sent to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
Gainesville, Florida – Ronald Carl Peavy II, 49, of Old Town, Florida, was sentenced to 12 years in federal prison for possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This drug trafficker’s days of running deadly narcotics in our community are over thanks to the excellent investigative work by the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office with support from the DEA. Meth has been a scourge that devastated entire communities for far too long, but under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche the Department of Justice is aggressively pursuing drug traffickers through Operation Take Back America to deliver the safe, drug-free streets our citizens deserve.”
Court documents reflect a Dixie County Sheriff’s Office deputy found the defendant’s car parked in the middle of an intersection in the early morning hours. After several minutes of the car not moving, the deputy approached and found the defendant asleep with the car running but placed in park. The deputy woke up the defendant and ensured he was not suffering from a medical problem. After smelling marijuana in the vehicle, the deputy searched the car and found two zippered cases, one of which contained more than 400 grams of methamphetamine, and the other contained approximately 77 grams of marijuana.
“The successful prosecution of this offender sends a clear message that drug trafficking has serious consequences,” said Dixie County Sheriff Darby Butler. “The substantial quantity of methamphetamine recovered in this case represented a significant threat to the safety of our community. Thanks to the diligence of our deputies and the strong collaboration between our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, dangerous drugs were removed from our streets, and an offender was held accountable for his actions. We remain committed to working alongside our partners at every level to keep Dixie County safe.”
The case involved a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Dixie County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Adam Hapner and James A. McCain.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida Supports Career Closets Through Freedom 250 Charity DriveRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – In celebration of Freedom 250 and America’s upcoming 250th birthday, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida proudly conducted a charitable donation drive to support local Career Closets charities throughout the district. In total, nearly 180 articles of professional attire were donated in Tallahassee and Pensacola.
The Freedom 250 Charity Drive was organized as an opportunity for employees to give back to their communities while honoring the spirit of service, opportunity, and unity that defines our nation. Staff members across the district generously donated professional clothing, accessories, and workplace essentials to help individuals preparing to enter or re-enter the workforce.
This year’s donations will benefit the Florida State University Professional Clothing Closet and the Pensacola State College PIRATE’s Care Career Closet. These programs provide professional attire and support resources to students preparing for interviews, internships, and employment opportunities, helping build confidence and remove barriers to career success.
“The generosity shown by our employees reflects the ongoing commitment to public service and community engagement by the United States Attorney’s Office,” said U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin. “As we celebrate Freedom 250 and America’s birthday, we are proud to support organizations that empower individuals and strengthen our communities.”
Career Closets provides professional attire and resources to students and job seekers, helping individuals build confidence and prepare for interviews, internships, and employment opportunities. The donations collected through the drive will directly support members of the local communities that serve throughout North Florida.
United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Convicted Felon Indicted for Gun & Drug Possession in PensacolaRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – EP Hall, 42, has been indicted in federal court for one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and one count of possession of a controlled substance. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charges.
Hall appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho in Pensacola, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida before United States District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
Hall faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment if convicted of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and up to three years’ imprisonment if convicted of possession of a controlled substance.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Forbes.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Postal Employee Indicted for Delay or Destruction of MailRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Stacy Michelle Braxton, 39, of Marianna, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging her with delay or destruction of mail. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charge today.
Braxton appeared for her arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026, at 8:30 am in Tallahassee before District Court Judge Mark E. Walker.
If convicted, Braxton faces up to 5 years’ imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the United States Postal Service – Office of Inspector General. Assistant United States Attorneys Justin M. Keen and Emma Schwan are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Criminal Illegal Alien from Mexico Sentenced for Illegally Reentering the CountryRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Jose Perez-Perez, also known as “Luis Zavaleta-Cruz” and “Luis Angel Torres Arcos,” 42, of Mexico, was sentenced to twelve months in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegal reentry of a removed alien. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This violent criminal alien was previously deported after a felony conviction, but thought he could illegally return to our country without consequence. Wrong. Our nation’s immigration laws are not mere suggestions, they are in place to keep our communities safe from criminals like this defendant. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute criminal illegal aliens to send them to federal prison before deporting them back to wherever they came from.”
According to court records, the defendant was deported from the United States in 2023 after being convicted of driving under the influence, battery, resisting arrest, and illegal reentry into the United States. He illegally returned to the United States and was found in Escambia County, Florida, in December 2025 after providing a fake identification card to law enforcement.
Deportation proceedings against him will commence following the conclusion of serving his federal sentence.
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant United States Attorney Brooke DiSalvo is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Panama City Man Indicted for Attempted Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Austen Scott Tucker, 29, of Panama City, Florida, has been federally charged with attempted enticement of a minor. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.
Tucker appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Charles A. Stampelos in Tallahassee, Florida. His jury trial is scheduled for July 20, 2026, before District Court Judge Mark E. Walker.
If convicted, Tucker faces a minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment, and up to life imprisonment.
The case was jointly investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Tallahassee Business Owner Sentenced to 30 Years in Prison for Child Sexual Exploitation and Child Pornography CrimesRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Perry Crane Walker, II, 44, of Tallahassee, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for six counts of sexual exploitation of children, one count of receipt of child pornography, and one count of transfer of obscene material to minors. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This substantial prison sentence is an excellent outcome in a very sad case, as this sexual predator preyed upon and exploited numerous innocent children online and deserves to spend the next several decades in prison for his disgusting crimes. Keeping our kids safe online is a top priority, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute cases like this to accomplish that.”
Court documents reflect that between December 26, 2024, and October 10, 2025, Walker used social media applications to meet and communicate with children between 13-15 years of age. During his online communications, the defendant enticed and induced the minors, some of whom resided in Europe, to produce and send him images and videos constituting child pornography. Court records also revealed that, as a result of the defendant’s illicit communications with the children, one of the social media platforms submitted a CyberTip report to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, which notified the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Pursuant to search warrants, the defendant’s business and residence were searched, and his electronic devices were seized as evidence. A search of the defendant’s devices confirmed that he had been sexually exploiting the children using social media, and that he received and possessed multiple child pornography images and videos.
After serving his term of 30-years’ imprisonment, Walker will have to register as a sexual offender and serve the rest of his life on supervised release. He was also ordered to pay $3,000 in victim restitution.
“This deviant predator’s calculated use of social media to target vulnerable children is a stark reminder of the dangers posed by people who seek to exploit the most vulnerable in our society,” said Homeland Security Investigations Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno. “HSI, alongside our law enforcement partners, are committed to relentlessly pursuing these predators and delivering them to the justice they deserve. We will protect our children from falling prey to such depraved acts.”
The case involved a joint investigation by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Repeat Criminal Alien from Guatemala Sentenced to Federal Prison for Third Illegal Reentry ConvictionRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Jose Francisco Santizo-Perez, also known as “Jose Mynor Castillo Lazaro,” 42, of Guatemala, was sentenced to 16 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegal reentry by a removed alien. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This criminal illegal alien has clearly not gotten the message that violating our nation’s immigration laws will not be tolerated, so now he will spend more than a year in federal prison before being deported once again. We are a nation of laws, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute anyone who dares to violate those laws in the Northern District of Florida.”
Court documents reflect that the defendant has been deported from the United States four times, and had twice been convicted of illegal reentry by a removed alien in 2018 in this district and again in 2020 in the Western District of Texas. After his most recent deportation in 2021, he illegally returned to the United States and was found in Okaloosa County, Florida, in January 2026.
“This criminal illegal alien is a repeat offender who has been deported four times and twice convicted for illegal reentry and continues to demonstrate his contempt for the laws of the United States,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Miami acting Field Office Director Kelei Walker. “This conviction highlights the persistent issues associated with criminal illegal aliens who continually break immigration laws. The 16-month federal prison sentence demonstrates ICE’s dedication to upholding the law and safeguarding our communities from individuals who ignore the legal process.”
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Forbes prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Georgia Sex Offender Sentenced to Prison for Failing to Register in Madison County, FloridaRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Tavaris Andre Donaldson, 30, of Madison, Florida, was sentenced in federal court to 27 months in prison for failing to register as a sex offender under the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Convicted sex offenders like this defendant are legally required to register with local authorities when they move to a new location. This legal requirement is necessary to keep our communities informed of their presence and safe, and my office will ensure those registration requirements are strictly enforced.”
Court documents reflect that the defendant was convicted of child molestation in May 2014 in Lowndes County, Georgia, and, as a result, was required to register as a sex offender in each county where he lived and worked. Although the defendant had been registering as a sex offender as required in Lowndes County, Georgia, he absconded from there in October 2024 and traveled to Madison County, Florida, where he lived and worked. Employment records showed that the defendant began employment in Madison County, Florida, in early-2025; however, the defendant knowingly failed to report his employment and residence as required by SORNA.
After serving his term of imprisonment, Donaldson will have to serve eight years of supervised release.
“There is nothing more important than protecting our nation’s children,” said Acting U.S. Marshal Greg Leljedal. “If a sex offender crosses state lines and fails to register, the U.S. Marshals will arrest and bring charges against them for these violations.”
The case involved a joint investigation by the Madison County Sheriff’s Office and the United States Marshals Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Violent Criminal Illegal Alien from Honduras Sentenced for Illegally Reentering the CountryRead the Press Release
Pensacola, Florida – Franklin David Zelaya-Funez, 33, of Honduras, was sentenced to fourteen months in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegal reentry of a removed alien. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This criminal illegal alien previously committed a serious violent felony while unlawfully present in our country, and despite being deported after that prior offense he illegally re-entered our country yet again. Enough is enough. President Donald J. Trump and acting Attorney General Todd Blanche have made clear through Operation Take Back America that the safety of our communities is not negotiable. The Department of Justice will aggressively prosecute the criminal illegal aliens invading our country until our citizens can walk the streets of their neighborhoods without fear of violent thugs, like this defendant.”
According to court records, the defendant was deported from the United States in 2021 after being convicted of felony aggravated assault with a deadly weapon without the intent to kill. He is also the subject of a permanent domestic violence injunction. The defendant illegally returned to the United States and was found in June 2025.
“This case underscores our unwavering commitment to protecting American communities from individuals who repeatedly disregard our laws and pose a threat to public safety,” said Homeland Security Investigations Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno. “The United States will not tolerate the standard of violence seen in other countries around the world, and we are resolute in removing weapons from those who cannot legally possess them. HSI, alongside our law enforcement partners, will continue to pursue every legal measure to keep our communities safe and uphold the rule of law.”
Deportation proceedings against him will commence following the conclusion of serving his federal sentence.
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant United States Attorney Brooke DiSalvo prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Tallahassee Serial Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun & Drug ChargesRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Christopher Adams Jr., 34, of Tallahassee, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of synthetic cathinone with intent to distribute, carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This successful prosecution is another win for the Northern District of Florida under Operation Take Back America, an initiative that deploys the full might of the Department of Justice toward eradicating drug traffickers and the perpetrators of violent crime from our communities. Our citizens deserve safe, drug-free streets, and that is exactly what we intend to deliver through aggressive prosecutions like this one.”
Court documents reflect that the Tallahassee Police Department encountered the defendant as the driver of a vehicle with a stolen tag and illegal window tint. The officer could smell the odor of synthetic cathinone (“molly”) coming from inside the vehicle and conducted a search. The officer found a pistol in the driver’s side door pocket. Directly next to the handgun was a zippered pouch approximately the size of a make-up bag, which was found to contain approximately an ounce and a half of synthetic cathinone split up into one large bag and multiple smaller baggies, along with small unused baggies typically used by street-level drug dealers. The defendant acknowledged ownership of the “molly” in the car and knowing the firearm was present.
The defendant was prohibited from possessing firearms because of multiple prior felony convictions for armed burglary, drug trafficking, and firearm offenses. He has been to prison on four separate occasions, with his longest prior sentence being 5 years.
The defendant faces a maximum potential sentence of life imprisonment.
The case involved an investigation by the Tallahassee Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.
Sentencing is scheduled for July 24, 2026, at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before United States District Judge Mark E. Walker.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Perry Man Sent Back to Federal Prison for 10 Years for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
Tallahassee, Florida – Robert “Bobby” Shane Willis, 46, of Perry, Florida was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Keeping our communities safe and our streets drug-free is a top priority for my office, and we will continue to back up the excellent investigative work by our state and federal law enforcement partners with aggressive prosecutions to send drug traffickers to prison where they belong.”
According to court records, on March 5, 2025, the defendant sold 6.6 grams of 97% pure methamphetamine during an undercover law enforcement operation. The defendant was on federal supervised release at the time of the offense, having been sentenced in 2018 to nine years in prison for multiple drug-trafficking and firearms offenses.
"Bobby Shane Willis has been involved in the illicit drug trade in Taylor County and the City of Perry for years, said Chief Jamie Cruse, Jr., Perry Police Department. “This is not his first conviction for such crimes, having chosen to follow a career as a criminal, participating in the drug trade and committing offenses that are closely associated with the illicit sale of drugs the entire time, and while on Supervised Release for the same offense. Willis' conviction and incarceration will remove him from a society to which he has distributed dangerous drugs for years.
The Perry Police Department is proud to partner with the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, The Drug Enforcement Administration, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, in a concerted effort to remove Willis and other dangerous career criminals that continuously spread the poison of dangerous drugs to the youth and other Citizens of North Florida.”
Taylor County Sheriff Padgett said: “Bobby Shane Willis is an individual who has spent years committing crimes and putting the safety of our community at risk. Thanks to the hard work and strong partnership between the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, Perry Police Department, and our federal law enforcement partners, he will no longer be able to prey on the citizens of this community. This ten-year sentence sends a clear message that those who repeatedly victimize others will be brought to justice.”
When he is released from prison, the defendant will serve 10 additional years on supervised release.
“This joint investigation removes a career offender from our North Florida streets,” said DEA Tampa Field Division Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar. “Methamphetamine has been all too present in this area, and we are committed to stopping the flow of this poison into our communities.”
This conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Perry Police Department, the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.