Northern District of Florida
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Pensacola Serial Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Drug Distribution and Weapons ChargesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Marcel Kamill Mickles, 49, of Pensacola, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of distribution of cocaine; possession with intent to distribute cocaine, fentanyl, methamphetamine, and other controlled substances; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and 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: “Thanks to the excellent work of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, in close collaboration with our federal law enforcement partners, this serial felon has been stopped before he can continue terrorizing our communities and flooding our streets with more deadly drugs. This is exactly the kind of case Operation Take Back America was launched for, as President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi committed the full might of the Department of Justice toward eliminating the threats to our communities from violent, drug-peddling criminals like this defendant. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute violent drug traffickers until our residents get the safe, drug-free communities they deserve.”
Court documents reflect that Mickles distributed cocaine in May and June of 2025. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Mickles’ Pensacola residence in June 2025, during which they found five loaded firearms, a bulletproof vest, multiple bags of controlled substances including cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine, and other drug distribution-related items. Mickles is a multi-time convicted felon, and was therefore prohibited from possessing firearms and ammunition.
Based on prior convictions, Mickles faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment, and a maximum of life imprisonment.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton.
Sentencing for Mickles is scheduled for May 19, 2026, at 9:00am, at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
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.
Local Business Owner Pleads Guilty to Eight Counts of Sex Crimes Against ChildrenRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Perry Crane Walker, II, 44, of Tallahassee, pleaded guilty in federal court to six counts of sexual exploitation to children, one count of receipt of child pornography, and one count of transfer of obscene material to minors. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Our excellent state and federal law enforcement partners are relentlessly pursuing every sick predator like this defendant who seeks to victimize and sexually exploit our kids online, and when they catch them my office stands ready to aggressively prosecute and seek maximum punishments for their heinous crimes. It remains a top priority of my office to ensure our kids are safe in our communities and online.”
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. The investigation revealed that during his online communications, the defendant enticed and induced the minors 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. An investigation revealed that some of the children resided in Europe. 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.
Walker faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years’ imprisonment and a maximum of 30 years’ imprisonment, on each of the sexual exploitation of children counts; a minimum mandatory sentence of 5 years’ imprisonment and a maximum of 20 years imprisonment, on the receipt of child pornography count; and a maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment on the transfer of obscene materials to minors count.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 11, 2026, at 11:00 am at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida, before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor.
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, visithttps://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Salvadoran Illegal Alien Sentenced to Prison for Illegally Possessing a FirearmRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Luis Miguel Hernandez-Flores, 37, of the country of El Salvador, was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm by an illegal 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 followed up his violation of our nation’s immigration laws with additional federal and state crimes while unlawfully present in our country, and will now spend time in federal prison before being swiftly deported. President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi launched Operation Take Back America to devote the full might of the Department of Justice toward firmly enforcing our nation’s laws against criminal illegal aliens like this defendant, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute these cases to keep our communities safe.”
Court documents reflect that on January 30, 2025, at approximately 3:00 A.M., Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) deputies initiated a traffic stop on the defendant’s vehicle because it was parked in the middle of the road with the defendant sleeping inside the car while the engine was running. The defendant was arrested for driving without a valid driver’s license. During an inventory search of the car, law enforcement located a .223 Ruger American Rifle which was seized by GCSO. An investigation into the immigration status of the defendant revealed that he was a citizen of El Salvador who was unlawfully present in the United States, and was federally prohibited from possessing a firearm.
In addition to his incarceration, Hernandez-Flores was ordered to forfeit his interest in the rifle that he illegally possessed.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Gadsen County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Highway Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen.
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.
Gainesville Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution and Illegal Weapons ChargesRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Khalil Keari Barnett, 30, of Gainesville, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of firearm in connection with drug trafficking, and unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Thanks to the outstanding investigative work of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners, another violent, drug-peddling criminal has been removed from our streets. President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi launched Operation Take Back America to devote the full might of the Department of Justice to eliminating the threats to our communities posed by violent criminals like this defendant, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute those offenders until our streets are safe and drug-free.”
Court documents reflect that Alachua County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a domestic violence call for service. When law enforcement arrived on scene, the defendant left out the back door of the residence and attempted to enter a rideshare vehicle before fleeing on foot. As the defendant was fleeing, he threw a bag from his person, which included 600 grams of marijuana and a black mask. A firearm and box of ammunition were also recovered near the defendant. The defendant is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition as he has a prior conviction for possession of a weapon by a delinquent.
Barnett faces a total of up to life imprisonment on the combined possession with intent to distribute and firearm possession charges.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christie S. Utt.
Sentencing for is scheduled for April 28, 2026, at 2:30 pm, at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, Florida 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.
Pensacola Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Methamphetamine and Firearm ChargesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Geoffery Bartee Dale, 38, of Pensacola, Florida was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and 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: “Thanks to the outstanding work of our local and federal law enforcement partners, this drug trafficker’s scheme has been dismantled and he’ll spend the next 15 years in federal prison. The Department of Justice’s Operation Take Back America initiative was launched to target and eliminate drug trafficking operations like this one that have flooded our communities with deadly poison and threatened the health and safety of our residents. My office will continue to deliver successful prosecutions like this one to keep violent drug traffickers in prison where they belong and give our residents the safe and drug-free streets they deserve.”
According to court records, in February and March of 2024, the defendant was a target of a joint law enforcement investigation. On March 8, 2024, law enforcement executed a search warrant at the defendant’s Pensacola residence, during which investigators located over 3,100 grams of methamphetamine, as well as a large amount of marijuana, four firearms, ammunition, over $129,000 in United States currency, and other drug distribution related items. Law enforcement also obtained a search warrant for the defendant’s storage unit, where they found more than 4,400 grams of methamphetamine, a large amount of marijuana, three firearms, and ammunition. The defendant has two prior felony convictions.
“This amount of methamphetamine represents a public health threat capable of impacting an entire region,” said DEA Tampa Field Division Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar. “Getting this trafficker off the streets will make communities safer and get the State of Florida closer to being Fentanyl and Methamphetamine free.”
The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Pensacola Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica 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 for the Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Man Pleads Guilty to Robbing Gainesville BankRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Patrick Shane Johnson, 51, of Gainesville, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to bank robbery and bank theft. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Another successful prosecution under Operation Take Back America means one less violent criminal on our streets threatening our public safety. Great work by the Gainesville Police Department to quickly apprehend this offender, and great work by my office to aggressively prosecute him to the fullest extent of the law.”
Court documents reveal that on August 27, 2025, the defendant entered a Wells Fargo bank on Archer Road and passed a note to a teller. The note read, “This is no joke, it is an armed bank robbery. All of the money now I am armed.” The defendant grabbed over $1,000 cash and fled. The Gainesville Police Department responded and immediately apprehended the defendant.
Johnson faces up to 50 years’ imprisonment upon sentencing, which is scheduled for April 28, 2026, at 2:00 p.m. at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor
The case involved a joint investigation by the Gainesville Police Department and the Federal Burau of Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christie S. Utt.
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 Sexual Predator Sentenced to 25 Years in Federal Prison for Distribution and Receipt of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Richard Alan Spivey, a/k/a “Rick”, 62, of Tallahassee, was sentenced to 25 years in federal prison for distribution of child pornography and receipt of child pornography. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “The threats posed to our children from sexual predators like this defendant demand our constant vigilance to ensure more innocent minors are not victimized and exploited, and fortunately our local and federal law enforcement partners are up to the task of finding these disgusting criminals wherever they lurk online. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute these crimes and seek maximum punishments to keep our kids safe and these offenders locked away in prison.”
Court documents reflect that in July 2024, the Tallahassee Police Department received a Cybertip report from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children alleging that the defendant uploaded child pornography to a social media platform when sending it to another user as part of his chat messages. The investigation revealed that the defendant was a registered sexual predator based on his prior convictions for sex crimes. Law enforcement obtained search warrants for the defendant’s social media account and cell phone, which led to the discovery of online communications between the defendant and others during which he received and distributed child pornography videos.
“This case reinforces the FBI’s unwavering commitment to investigate child exploitation crimes and safeguard children from those who seek to exploit them,” said FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley. “Through strong collaboration with our state and local law enforcement partners, we are working to ensure there is one less predator targeting the most vulnerable members of our community.”
Spivey’s imprisonment will be followed by a lifetime term of supervised release, meaning if he violates any of the conditions of his supervision, he will potentially face an additional period of incarceration.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Tallahassee Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 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.
Ohio Man Pleads Guilty to Producing Child PornographyRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA –Ronald Pate Newman, III, 27, of Youngstown, Ohio, pleaded guilty in federal court to two counts of the production 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 exemplifies the threats our kids face online from disgusting predators like this defendant who seek to sexually exploit and victimize them. My office is committed to aggressively prosecuting cases like these, and will seek maximum punishments to keep monsters like him locked away in prison and unable to exploit more children.”
Court documents reflect that on April 28, 2025, law enforcement became aware that a previously convicted sex offender was using an 11-year-old child from Florida to produce images of the child engaging in sexually explicit conduct. The defendant met the victim on a “safe for work” account, meaning all posts must be publicly appropriate, but he soon convinced the child to message him privately where he began grooming and then directing the child to create explicit photographs, which he posted in other accounts. The defendant was arrested in Ohio, and a subsequent forensic analysis of seized devices identified over 500 images of child pornography.
Due to his prior convictions, Newman faces a mandatory minimum of thirty-five years’ imprisonment and up to Life imprisonment, and a lifetime of supervision upon release.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Levy County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christie S. Utt.
Sentencing for is scheduled for April 28, 2026, at 3:00 pm, at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, Florida before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor.
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.
Pensacola Fentanyl Trafficker Pleads Guilty in Federal CourtRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Laurie Ann Chapman, 53, of Pensacola, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of conspiracy to distribute and possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl, one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl, and two counts of distribution of fentanyl. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Fentanyl has had an undeniably devastating, deadly impact on countless communities nationwide, which led President Donald J. Trump to designate the drug a Weapon of Mass Destruction in December 2025 to ensure we deploy every federal resource possible to eliminate it from our streets. Sheriff Chip Simmons and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office are doing great work in collaboration with our federal law enforcement partners to attack this threat head-on, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute and seek maximum punishment for anyone who peddles this poison.”
Court records indicate that Chapman was the target of a multi-month joint investigation. During that time, law enforcement conducted surveillance and documented multiple instances of Chapman and her associates distributing fentanyl. The investigation concluded on May 29, 2025, when officers conducted a traffic stop and found Chapman in possession of more than 100 grams of fentanyl intended for a prearranged sale.
Chapman faces a minimum mandatory sentence of five years’ imprisonment, and up to forty years’ imprisonment, and up to a five-year term of supervised release thereafter.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Escambia County Sherriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher C. Patterson.
Sentencing is scheduled for May 7, 2026, 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, human and drug trafficking.
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.
Gainesville Man Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearms OffenseRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Devon Oliver, 18, of Gainesville, Florida, has pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm with a removed serial number. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Our brave state and federal law enforcement partners are on the front lines every day fighting to keep our communities safe, and my office will continue to back up those efforts with successful prosecutions like this one.”
Court documents reflect that on October 22, 2025, Oliver was riding an electric scooter with a firearm concealed in his waistband. When law enforcement attempted to detain Oliver for a traffic violation, he attempted to flee on foot and discarded the firearm in the bushes of an apartment complex. After law enforcement recovered the firearm, they discovered it had an extended magazine loaded with 22 rounds of ammunition and the serial number had been cut off and removed. Oliver was arrested while hiding in a stairwell and subsequently admitted he threw the firearm while fleeing.
Oliver faces up to five years in federal prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
The case involved a joint investigation 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.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 28, 2026, at 1:30 pm at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville 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, human and drug trafficking.
As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.
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 http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Registered Sex Offender Indicted for New Child Sex CrimesRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – William Jared Breski, 37, of Eastpoint, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with one count of attempted enticement of a minor, one count of attempted transmission of obscene material to minors, and one count of penalties for registered sex offenders. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges today.
Breski appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for April 20, 2026, before District Court Judge Robert L. Hinkle.
If convicted, Breski faces a mandatory 10 years’ imprisonment up to life imprisonment on the attempted enticement count, up to 10 years’ imprisonment on the attempted transmission of obscene material count, and 10 years’ imprisonment consecutive to any other sentence imposed on the penalties for registered sex offender count.
The case was investigated by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen 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 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 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 Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession of Firearm by a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Jerney Jabara Purifoy, 33, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to two 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 serial felon has spent years terrorizing our communities with his criminal conduct, but President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi launched Operation Take Back America to deploy the full might of the Department of Justice to protect our citizens from violent criminals like him. This defendant will spend years in federal prison, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute others like him until our streets are safe.”
Court documents reflect that law enforcement executed a search warrant at the defendant’s Pensacola residence due to animal cruelty allegations. Law enforcement located a loaded handgun in the defendant’s bedroom, as well as a loaded .22-caliber AR15-style rifle in the residence. The defendant is a multi-time convicted felon. The animal cruelty case is pending in state court.
Upon his release from prison, the defendant will be supervised release for three years.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. 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, human and drug trafficking.
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 Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution and Illegal Weapons ChargesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Damian Elliott Pressley, 38, of Pensacola, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to three counts of distribution or more than 50 grams of methamphetamine, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, and 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: “For too long, dangerous criminals like this defendant have flooded our streets with deadly drugs and violence. Thanks to President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi launching Operation Take Back America, we are deploying the full might of the Department of Justice to identify, target, and eliminate the criminal threats plaguing our communities. We will continue to deliver successful prosecutions like this one until our streets are safe and drug-free.”
Court documents reflect that Pressley distributed 67 grams of methamphetamine on one occasion in October 2024, and 109 grams of methamphetamine and 124 grams of methamphetamine on two separate occasions in November 2024. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Pressley’s residence on Bobe Street in Pensacola in December 2024. Agents located a loaded firearm, over 200 grams of marijuana, over 90 grams of cocaine, and $17,580 in United States currency. Pressley is a multi-time convicted felon
Based on prior convictions, Pressley faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 15 years and a maximum of life imprisonment.
The case involved an investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton.
Sentencing for Pressley is scheduled for May 7, 2026, at 1:00pm, at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida before United States District 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, human and drug trafficking.
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.
Bell Man Pleads Guilty to Making Numerous Threats to Kill Newspaper Reporter, Muslims, and PoliticiansRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Peter Daniel Ring, 31, of Bell, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to sending multiple threatening interstate communications to kill or cause physical injuries. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “My office takes seriously any threat of violence, and we have zero-tolerance for criminal threats directed toward others because of their religious or political affiliation.”
Court documents reveal that in June 2025 the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) received a complaint from the Washington Post newspaper that it had received a threat to kill one of its reporters. The defendant was identified as the source of the threat, and when contacted by the FBI he said he would not make any more threats. However, two months later, the FBI received a tip that the defendant was posting religiously and politically motivated threats of violence against Muslim people, members of the media, and prominent politicians. Between May and September 2025, the defendant made threats to kill or cause physical injury to at least fourteen victims.
Ring faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment upon sentencing, which is scheduled for April 28, 2026, at 4:00 pm, at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor.
The case involved an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christie S. Utt.
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, human and drug trafficking.
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.
Serial Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Tyrese Da’Jon Jones, 26, of Gainesville, Florida, has pleaded guilty 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: “Kudos to the excellent work by the Alachua County Sheriff’s deputies who took this violent felon off our streets so we could follow that up with a successful prosecution to put him behind bars where he belongs. The Department of Justice’s Operation Take Back America continues to deliver wins for community safety as we fulfill the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi that we will aggressively prosecute violent felons like this defendant to clean up our streets.”
Court documents reflect that on July 2, 2025, the defendant was approached by law enforcement while he was exiting a restaurant. The defendant fled from law enforcement and dropped a fully loaded pistol on the ground. After he was taken into custody, the defendant admitted that he pulled the firearm while he was fleeing and that he recently took MDMA. The defendant was not permitted to have a firearm because he has five prior felony convictions from two states, including a prior conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 28, 2026, at 10:00 A.M. in Gainesville, Florida, before Chief District Judge Allen C. Winsor.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Alachua County Sherriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The case is being 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, human and drug trafficking.
As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.
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 http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Pensacola Felon Charged with Armed Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Timothy Donail Knight, 25, of Pensacola, Florida, has been indicted in federal court on one count of possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl, one count of possession of a firearm 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.
Knight appeared on February 10, 2026, before United States Magistrate Judge Hope T. Cannon for his initial appearance at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida. Trial is scheduled for March 16, 2026, before District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
If convicted, Knight faces a minimum mandatory of 5 years’ imprisonment, and up to 40 years’ imprisonment, on the possession with intent to distribute fentanyl count; up to 15 years’ imprisonment on the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon count; and a minimum mandatory 5 years’ imprisonment, and up to life imprisonment, on the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense count consecutive to other sentences imposed.
This case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Marshals Service, and the Pensacola Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. 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, human and drug trafficking.
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 Posing as a Decorated Army Veteran Pleads Guilty to Theft of Government FundsRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Michel Duane Dyson, 46, of Tallahassee, Florida, who misrepresented himself as a decorated U.S. Army combat veteran despite having never served in the military, pleaded guilty in federal court of theft of government funds for his fraudulent receipt of Veterans Affairs benefits. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the guilty plea today.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “The brave men and women who served in our military deserve our gratitude, admiration, and support, and VA benefits are reserved exclusively for them based upon their selfless service to this country. I am proud of this successful prosecution by my office to deliver accountability and justice for this despicable defendant’s selfish acts of stolen valor and fraudulent misrepresentations of military service that enabled him to illegally obtain VA benefits intended for our nation’s heroes.”
Court records show that in April 2022, Dyson fraudulently applied for VA benefits on the basis of his claims to have actively served in the U.S. Army, further claiming that he served in combat and been awarded both the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star medals. As a result of his fraudulent misrepresentations, from April 2022 until June 2025, Dyson was able to secure VA benefits in the form of medical treatment provided either through VA medical facilities or contracted medical providers, treatments valued at approximately $114,527. In May 2025, Dyson further attempted to fraudulently obtain additional VA housing benefits, at which point his deception was uncovered. Records in the investigation revealed that Dyson had similarly attempted to obtain VA benefits in the Boston, Massachusetts area in 2013, but had been denied.
Dyson faces up to ten years’ imprisonment. Sentencing is scheduled for April 30, 2026, at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida before United States District Judge Robert Hinkle.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Inspector General investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Eric K. Mountin is prosecuting the case.
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.
Mexican Citizen Sentenced to Prison for Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Carlos Dominguez Lopez, 36, of Mexico, was sentenced to two years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to false statement in an application for a U.S. passport and aggravated identity theft. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Trying to lie, cheat, and steal your way into this country won’t get you anything except a one-way ticket to federal prison and a swift deportation thereafter. My office remains committed to aggressively prosecuting criminal illegal aliens like this defendant who brazenly violate our immigration laws.”
Court documents reflect that in July of 2022, the defendant purported to be another individual and executed a United States passport application at the Escambia County Clerk of Court Office. The defendant provided a birth certificate and identification card in the other individual’s name, without that person’s permission. After the false statements were made, a United States passport was issued to the defendant.
An ICE detainer has been lodged against Dominguez Lopez, and deportation proceedings against him will commence once he completes his prison sentence.
The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the United States Department of State Diplomatic Security Service and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. 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, human and drug trafficking.
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 Man Sentenced for Carrying Multiple Firearms While Selling DrugsRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Kendrick J. Hills Jr., 23, of Gainesville, Florida, was sentenced to over five years in prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “My office is committed to backing up our brave men and woman of law enforcement on the front lines of this battle against drugs and violence in our communities. We will continue to deliver successful prosecutions like this as part of the Department of Justice’s Operation Take Back America to ensure our streets are safe and our communities are drug-free.”
Court documents reflect that the defendant was pulled over for multiple traffic violations. During the traffic stop, law enforcement smelled and observed marijuana in his vehicle. The presence of illegal narcotics was also confirmed by a K9 on scene. During a search of the vehicle, deputies located a stolen 9-millimeter pistol on the driver’s floorboard, a .40-caliber pistol with an extended 22-round magazine under the driver’s seat, and a backpack filled with almost a pound of marijuana and drug-distribution paraphernalia, such as scales and baggies. The defendant later admitted that he possessed the firearms to protect himself, including protecting himself from the risk of drug-related robberies.
“This case is an example of the proactive work our deputies do every day to identify criminal activity before it escalates into something even more dangerous,” said Sheriff Chad D. Scott, Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. “Through strong partnerships with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Attorney’s Office, we are sending a clear message: Alachua County will not tolerate drug distribution and the armed criminal behavior that so often accompanies it.”
“I’m proud of the way our agents and officers from Alachua County Sheriff’s Office came together to bring this criminal to justice,” said DEA Tampa Field Division Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar. “We have great relationships with our North Florida law enforcement partners, and I look forward to our continued enforcement efforts together.”
The defendant’s imprisonment will be followed by a seven-year term of supervised release, meaning if he violates any of the conditions of his supervision, he will potentially face additional prison time.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Adam Hapner and James 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, human and drug trafficking.
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.
Gulf Breeze Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of Meth and Fentanyl with the Intent to DistributeRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Logan Schoonmaker, 40, of Gulf Breeze, Florida, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and fentanyl. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Thanks to the excellent investigative work of our local and federal law enforcement partners, this defendant was stopped before he could peddle more deadly drugs in our community. My office continues to back up the hard work of our law enforcement partners on the front lines with successful prosecutions to ensure drug dealers like this defendant are kept off our streets. Through Operation Take Back America, President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi made a promise to put an end to the criminal enterprises that have plagued our communities for far too long, and my office will continue to deliver on that promise.”
Court documents reflect that on April 25, 2025, Task Force Officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Gulf Breeze Police Department executed a search warrant at a residence in Gulf Breeze, Florida. Inside the residence, police located approximately 40 grams of crystal methamphetamine and approximately 12.5 grams of fentanyl. Schoonmaker was present at the residence. Electronic devices located at the residence were searched and a video showing Schoonmaker distributing suspected narcotics was uncovered.
Schoonmaker faces a mandatory minimum of five years’ imprisonment and up to forty years’ imprisonment. If Schoonmaker is sentenced to a term of imprisonment, such term could be followed by up to a five-year term of supervised release. Thus, if Schoonmaker were to violate any conditions of his release, he could potentially face an additional period of incarceration related to violating his supervision.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Gulf Breeze Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher C. Patterson is prosecuting the case.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 14, 2026, at 10:30 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
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, human and drug trafficking.
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 http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Former Labor Union Treasurer Indicted for Bank Fraud, Embezzlement, and Falsification of Union Financial ReportsRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Clarence Penny, 40, of Pace, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with eight counts of bank fraud, one count of embezzlement of labor union funds, and three counts of falsification of labor union reports. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges today.
Penny appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Hope T. Cannon on February 12, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for April 6, 2026, before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
If convicted, Penny faces up to 30 years’ imprisonment for each count of bank fraud; up to five years’ imprisonment for the embezzlement count; and up to one year imprisonment for each count of falsification of labor union reports.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Labor-Management Standards. Assistant United States Attorneys Brooke DiSalvo and Walter Narramore 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.
Virginia Woman Sentenced for Introducing Methamphetamine into a Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Ashley Mullins, 40, of Appalachia, Virginia, was sentenced to one year and a day in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to introducing methamphetamine into Tallahassee Federal Correctional Institution. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This inmate now has an extended stay in our federal prison after trying to smuggle these deadly drugs into the correctional facility. My office remains committed to keeping these drugs off our streets and out of our prisons.”
According to court records, the defendant, who was an inmate at the federal prison, was caught by a Bureau of Prisons officer while she was walking with an object bulging in her pocket. The officer directed the defendant to empty her pockets and discovered several contraband items, including a crystal substance and a crystal powder substance in a bag. Later forensic testing confirmed the substances were methamphetamine.
The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Prisons. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric Welch.
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 Felon Sentenced to 12 Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – William Blas Hernandez, 28, of Gainesville, Florida, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime, and 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 is another successful prosecution under Operation Take Back America, which was launched by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to deploy the full might of the Department of Justice to remove violent, drug trafficking felons like this defendant from our communities. The residents of the Northern District of Florida deserve safe, drug-free streets, and that is exactly what my office is committed to delivering by aggressively prosecuting these cases and seeking maximum punishments.”
Court documents reflect that law enforcement conducted a traffic stop on the defendant’s vehicle because he was speeding, and his vehicle matched the description from a 911 caller who reported other criminal conduct. During the traffic stop, officers established probable cause to search the vehicle, and found the defendant’s backpack with a loaded pistol, over 50 grams of methamphetamine in a variety of forms, and other drug-distribution paraphernalia. The defendant was recently released from a prison sentence for eight prior felony convictions.
“Methamphetamine is capable of destroying families and ripping through communities,” said DEA Tampa Field Division Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar. “We will not stop until the flow of this poison has been removed from our streets.”
“We will not allow guns and drugs to corrupt our community. We will work with our federal partners to ensure that those who choose to engage in these activities are held accountable,” said Gainesville Police Chief Moya.
The defendant’s imprisonment will be followed by a 10-year term of supervised release, meaning if he violates any of the conditions of his supervision, he will potentially face additional prison time.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Gainesville Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Adam Hapner and James 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, human and drug trafficking.
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 on Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Landon Dashawn Wilson, 27, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been indicted in federal court on one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of possession of a firearm 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.
Wilson appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick for his initial appearance at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida. Trial is scheduled for March 31, 2026, before Chief District Court Judge Allen Winsor.
If convicted, Wilson faces up to 5 years’ imprisonment on the possession with intent to distribute marijuana count; up to 5 years’ imprisonment on the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon count; and not less than 5 years’ imprisonment on the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense count consecutive to other sentences imposed.
This case was 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 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, human and drug trafficking.
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.
Marianna Man Pleads Guilty to Drug Distribution Conspiracy and Illegal Weapons ChargesRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Michael Termaine Bell, 43, of Marianna, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and marijuana, possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and marijuana, possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and two counts of possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This defendant is precisely the kind of violent, drug trafficking offender that Operation Take Back America was launched to capture and remove from our communities. My office remains committed to delivering more successful prosecutions like this until our streets are safe and drug-free.”
Court documents reflect that beginning in 2023, investigators identified the defendant as a significant distributor of narcotics in the Jackson County, Florida, area. This investigation ultimately led to the execution of a search warrant at the defendant’s residence and surrounding family property on April 18, 2024. Investigators recovered over 1,000 grams of cocaine, over 3,400 grams of marijuana, five firearms, and over $10,000 in U.S. currency. The defendant was later located and arrested in Panama City, Florida, and was found to be in possession of cocaine, marijuana, and a loaded firearm. The defendant is a multi-time convicted felon.
Bell faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment on the drug charges, a minimum mandatory sentence of five years’ imprisonment on each of the possession of firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes charges, and a maximum of life imprisonment.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Jessica Etherton and Eric Welch.
Sentencing for Bell is scheduled for April 23, 2026, at 1:00 pm, at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida 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, human and drug trafficking.
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.
Jury Finds Convicted Felon Guilty of Escaping Halfway HouseRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Trashad Laron Roberts, 35, of Tallahassee, Florida, was found guilty by a federal jury of escape from federal custody. The guilty verdict was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “The terms of supervision at a residential reentry center are not suggestions, they are mandatory conditions of an inmate’s prison sentence that are designed to keep our communities safe. My office will aggressively prosecute any offenders who attempt to abscond from justice.”
In September 2020, the defendant was convicted of possession and distribution of methamphetamine in the Northern District of Florida. The defendant was required to serve four years on supervised release following his multi-year federal prison sentence. The defendant was scheduled to serve the final year of his prison term at a residential reentry center in Tallahassee. Evidence at trial demonstrated that on September 2, 2025, the defendant left the residential reentry center without authorization. Law enforcement immediately acted to locate the defendant. Four hours later, the United States Marshals Service and the Tallahassee Police Department found the defendant hiding inside a residence.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 20, 2026, in Tallahassee, Florida before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor.
The United States Marshals Service and the Tallahassee Police Department investigated the case. Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph A. Ravelo and Meredith L. Steer prosecuted the case.
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 http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Tallahassee Man Charged with Attempted Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Tabias K. Bryant, 37, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been indicted in federal court on one count of attempted enticement of a minor. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charge.
Bryant appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick for his initial appearance at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida. Trial is scheduled for March 23, 2026, before District Court Judge Mark E. Walker.
If convicted, Bryant, faces up to Life imprisonment.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tallahassee Police Department. 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 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.
Milton Felon Indicted for Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Darin Leroy Vanness, 32, of Milton, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charge today.
Vanness appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Hope T. Cannon in Pensacola, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for March 16, 2026 at 8:30 am, before District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
If convicted, Vanness faces up to ten years’ imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Milton Police Department. 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, human and drug trafficking.
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.
West Palm Beach Man Pleads Guilty to Possession with Intent to Distribute Marijuana and Possession of MacHinegunRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Justin Lombard, 22, of West Palm Beach, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court, to possession with intent to distribute marijuana and possession of a machine gun. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the plea.
United States Attorney Heekin said: “This is yet another successful prosecution under Operation Take Back America, which was launched by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to deploy the full might of the Department of Justice toward protecting our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime and drug trafficking. This defendant and other would-be traffickers will find that running drugs and illegal firearms through the Northern District of Florida is a one-way ticket to federal prison.”
Court documents reflect that on the night of February 11, 2025, the defendant was stopped by a Tallahassee Police Department officer for driving with his headlights turned off. During the traffic stop, law enforcement detected the odor of marijuana coming from the vehicle and confirmed that the defendant did not have a medical marijuana card. During the search of the defendant’s vehicle, law enforcement located a backpack containing three mason jars of marijuana and other drug paraphernalia consistent with the distribution of marijuana. They also located a bag containing a privately made firearm (PMF), specifically a 9-millimeter pistol that had been modified to fire as a machinegun.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 26, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. in Tallahassee, Florida before District Court Judge Mark E. Walker.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Tallahassee Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph A. Ravelo 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, human and drug trafficking.
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 Sentenced for Making False Statements to Law EnforcementRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Norman John Horner, II, 43, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced to serve one year in prison followed by three years of supervised release for making a false statement to a federal agency. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the sentencing.
United States Attorney Heekin said: “This defendant tried to evade accountability by lying to a federal officer. Lying to federal law enforcement isn’t just wrong, it’s a crime. I appreciate the excellent investigative work by our law enforcement partners to ensure this defendant is held accountable for his criminal activity.”
On July 13, 2024, a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service Officer attempted to issue the defendant a citation. The defendant falsely identified himself to the officer using the name and date of birth of someone else, therefore a citation and summons were issued in the wrong name. On September 6, 2024, the person who received the citation appeared at the Tallahassee Federal Courthouse to contest the citation. A law enforcement investigation revealed that the defendant had falsely provided the incorrect name and date of birth to avoid the citation.
The case involved an investigation by the USDA Forest Service. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph A. Ravelo prosecuted the case.
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.
Life Sentence Imposed in Federal Human Trafficking CaseRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Chad Cornelious Seymore, a/k/a “Circle City Pimp”, 50, of Dothan, Alabama, was sentenced to Life in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; four counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; two counts of interstate travel in aid of racketeering; and one count of conspiracy to commit money laundering. Seymore’s co-defendant, Kimberly Robinson Gandy, 48, of Gulfport, Mississippi, was found guilty by a federal jury in June 2025 of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion; and conspiracy to commit money laundering. Gandy was sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment. The sentences were announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “January was Human Trafficking Prevention Month, during which we raised awareness of this heinous crime to educate the public how to recognize the signs of human trafficking and report it to law enforcement. To be clear, every month must be Human Trafficking Prevention Month. For our part, my office will continue to aggressively prosecute human traffickers, like these defendants, who enslave their victims by threat and by force, and we will seek maximum punishments for their crimes to ensure they cannot victimize others ever again.”
Court documents reflect that over a four-year period Seymore conspired with others to bond adult women out of county jails and then forced or coerced them to commit commercial sex acts in Alabama and across North Florida. Seymore also recruited women suffering from drug addictions at hotels and through online advertisements. He threatened and physically abused his sex trafficking victims. Gandy conspired with Seymore to traffic women in Panama City Beach and Destin. They used online money exchange platforms to transfer funds received from commercial sex acts.
“These sentences send a clear message – those who exploit and traffic vulnerable individuals will be relentlessly pursued and brought to justice,” said Homeland Security Investigations Tampa acting Special Agent in Charge Mike Cochran. “HSI is committed to working alongside our law enforcement partners to dismantle trafficking networks, protect victims, and hold offenders accountable. We will continue to use every resource available to ensure that our communities are safe from those who would profit from human suffering.”
“The actions of these two individuals were not impulsive mistakes,” said FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley. “They were calculated decisions that caused significant and lasting harm to numerous victims. The outcome in this investigation serves as a reminder that these crimes are happening in our communities—and that law enforcement will continue to pursue those responsible and seek justice for victims. Human trafficking isn’t always a violent crime—but it is a devastating one, and it continues to increase across the country. The FBI will continue to work closely with our partners to identify, prioritize, investigate, and deter individuals from exploiting victims.”
Chief Talamantez said: “This case started with officers doing exactly what they are trained to do, pay attention and act when something isn’t right. That awareness drove a relentless, coordinated effort with our state and federal partners to dismantle a violent human trafficking operation. These defendants preyed on vulnerable victims through fear and abuse, and today they are being held fully accountable. Panama City Beach will not be a place where traffickers operate. If you exploit people here, we will find you and remove you.”
The convictions were the result of a joint investigation by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Dothan, Alabama Police Department, the Panama City Beach Police Department with assistance from the Panama City Police Department, United States Marshal’s Service, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office, the Walton County Sheriff’s Office, the State Attorney’s Office for the Fourteenth Judicial Circuit, and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Alabama. The case was prosecuted by First Assistant United States Attorney Michelle Spaven.
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.
Five Indictments Returned and Thirteen Illegal Aliens Convicted of Immigration, False Document Offenses in JanuaryRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA and GAINESVILLE – Today, United States Attorney John P. Heekin announced that five previously deported illegal aliens have been indicted separately by a federal grand jury for illegal reentry into the United States, and thirteen illegal aliens were convicted of federal crimes in the month of January.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “My office continues to make positive contributions to the success of Operation Take Back America as we follow the directive set forth by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to aggressively prosecute criminal aliens who have repeatedly violated our immigration laws and endangered the safety of our communities. Those who try to lie, cheat, and steal their way into our country will be met with swift justice and quick deportations.”
According to court records, five illegal aliens indicted in the month of January include:
- Pedro Vasquez-Guerra, 26, of El Salvador, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Okaloosa County in December 2025, after previously being deported in 2017. Sentencing is set for February 24, 2026, before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
- Jose Perez-Perez, 42, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Escambia County in December 2025, after previously being deported three times in 2011 and once in 2023. Trial is set for March 2, 2026, before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
- Emin Perez-Mendez, 37, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Santa Rosa County in December 2025, after previously being deported in 2018. Plea and Sentencing took place yesterday, February 4, 2026, before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
- Delmer Francisco Garcia-Palma, of Honduras, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Santa Rosa County in January 2026, after previously being deported in 2017, 2019, and 2020. Trial is set for March 16, 2026, before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
- Genaro Lopez Lopez, 49, of Honduras, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Santa Rosa County in January 2026, after previously being deported twice in 2009. Trial is set for March 16, 2026, before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
The penalty for illegally reentering the United States after deportation is a maximum of two years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Garcia-Palma and Perez-Perez both face 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.
In addition to the indictments filed, eleven defendants were convicted in the month of January for having had each been previously removed due to being unlawfully present in the country and thereafter illegally reentered without seeking the necessary permission or approval from the United States. The illegal aliens convicted in the month of January include:
- Melvin Saavedra-Vasquez, of Honduras, who was previously removed in March 2025. He was encountered in Okaloosa County on October 17, 2025.
- Luis Moscoso-Vidal, of Guatemala, who was previously removed in March 2019. He was encountered in Okaloosa County on October 27, 2025.
- Eugenio Hernandez-Vargas, of Mexico, who was previously removed in October 2010, November 2011, and April 2014. He was encountered in Bay County on October 29, 2025.
- Jose Alvarado Lopez, of Honduras, who was previously removed in June 2019 and August 2019. He was encountered in Bay County on October 29, 2025.
- Edgar Enamorado-Lara, of Honduras, who was previously removed in December 2006. He was encountered in Bay County on October 29, 2025.
- Maynor Esquivel-Amador, of Guatemala, who was previously removed in February 2019. He was encountered in Bay County on October 29, 2025.
- Edgar Castaneda-Herrera, of Mexico, who was previously removed in January 2006 and April 2008. He was encountered in Santa Rosa County on November 8, 2025.
- Allan Josue Sanchez-Lozano, of Honduras, who was previously removed in July 2016. He was encountered in Escambia County on November 22, 2025.
- Carlos Sanchez-Mendez, of Mexico, who was previously removed in January 2010, February 2010, March 2010, October 2014, and April 2016. He was encountered in Okaloosa County on November 28, 2025.
- Leobardo Gomez-Lopez, of Mexico, who was previously removed in April 2016 and April 2017. He was encountered in Escambia County on November 28, 2025.
- Carlos Castellanos, of Honduras, who was previously removed in August 2014. He was encountered in Santa Rosa County on December 11, 2025.
Two aliens were also convicted of false document crimes. They include:
- Belarmino Godinez, of Guatemala.
- Miguel Gomez-Ical, of Guatemala.
The cases are being investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations and Enforcement and Removal Operations with assistance from the
Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Pensacola Police Department, and the Florida Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorneys James A. McCain, Christopher C. Patterson, Jeffrey M. Tharp, Walter E. Narramore, Joseph A. Ravelo, Meredith L. Steer, and Brooke DiSalvo are prosecuting the cases.
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, human and drug trafficking.
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.
Federal Charges Filed Against Pensacola Registered Sex Offender for Obscenity Crimes Depicting ChildrenRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Jordan T. Quinones, 30, of Pensacola, Florida, has been indicted in federal court on charges of possession of obscene material involving depictions of minors engaging in sexual activity. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charges.
The obscene materials allegedly possessed by Quinones derive from computer generated images as well as drawings. The indictment also charges enhanced penalty provisions because Quinones is a registered sexual offender. If convicted, Quinones faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment.
Quinones is scheduled for trial before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida, on March 16, 2026.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.
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.
Defuniak Springs Man Federally Charged for Armed Trafficking of Methamphetamine and Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Bobby Womack, 45, of DeFuniak Springs, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon armed career criminal. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges today.
Womack appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho in Pensacola, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for March 2, 2026, at 8:30 am before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
If convicted, Womack faces a minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment up to life imprisonment on the possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine count, a minimum of 5 years’ imprisonment up to life imprisonment on the possession of a firearm in furtherance count, and a minimum of 15 years’ imprisonment up to life imprisonment on the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon armed career criminal count.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Walton County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher C. Patterson 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, human and drug trafficking.
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.
New Jersey Man Pleads Guilty to Bank Fraud, Aggravated Identity Theft and False Use or Forgery of a PassportRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Michael Scott Hillwig, 59, of Camden, New Jersey, pleaded guilty in federal court to bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and false use or forgery of a passport. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “It is of vital importance to raise awareness about the vulnerability of our personal identifying information online, which fraudsters relentlessly pursue as they seek to enrich themselves by exploiting their victims. As this defendant has learned, my office is just as relentless in our pursuit of criminals like him, and we aggressively prosecute such frauds to the fullest extent to achieve justice for the victims of these crimes.”
Court documents reflect that in May 2023, the defendant unlawfully obtained personal identification information of other people, including their names, dates of birth, social security numbers, and passport card numbers. He then fraudulently withdrew funds from the bank accounts of multiple victims by presenting U.S. passport cards bearing his photograph, but with the personal identifying information of the victims. During the course of this fraud scheme, Hillwig travelled to financial institutions in South Carolina and throughout Florida, including in Bonifay, Niceville, and Winter Garden, where he would provide bank tellers with a victim’s social security number and the fraudulent U.S. passport card in order to make withdrawals from their bank accounts.
Hillwig faces up to thirty years’ imprisonment for the bank fraud counts, up to ten years’ imprisonment as to false use or forgery of a passport, and a mandatory two years’ imprisonment consecutive to any other prison sentence as to aggravated identity theft counts.
The case involved a joint investigation by U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, and Holmes County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 2, 2026, at 2:00 pm at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida, before United States District Court Judge Mark E. Walker.
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.
Convicted Felon Charged with Armed Drug Trafficking and Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Scott D. Oranje, 52, of Mary Ester, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, 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.
Oranje appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho in Pensacola, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for March 2, 2026, at 8:30 am before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
If convicted, Oranje faces a minimum of 5 years’ imprisonment up to 40 years’ imprisonment on the possession with intent to distribute fentanyl count, a minimum of 5 years’ imprisonment up to life imprisonment 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 and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Christopher C. Patterson 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, human and drug trafficking.
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 Man Pleads Guilty to Communicating Threats to Injure ChildrenRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Demetrius Alpha Omega Murray, 33, has pleaded guilty in federal court regarding the six-count Indictment for interstate communication of threats to injure children. The allegations in the Indictment caused the lockdown of three Tallahassee area schools. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the guilty plea.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This defendant’s heinous, violent threats directed toward innocent children are despicable and I am very proud of the swift, aggressive prosecution by my office to hold him accountable for his criminal threats. Keeping our kids safe from violent predators, like this defendant, will always be a top priority for my office.”
Court records show that on November 14, 2025, the defendant made contact with representatives of a California law firm that was attempting to collect the defendant’s defaulted business loan. During the contact, which included multiple telephone calls and emails, the defendant threatened to commit a school shooting if the firm continued its collection efforts, directing his threats at students at Kate Sullivan Elementary School. The threats were accompanied by a video that the defendant recorded as he sat in a parked vehicle beside the school playground, during which he directed his threats towards children playing nearby and brandished a 9-millimeter handgun to illustrate his threats were serious.
The threats to commit violence were quickly relayed to law enforcement in the Tallahassee area, including the Tallahassee Police Department and Leon County Sheriff’s Office, resulting in the lockdown of Kate Sullivan Elementary School, as well as Cobb Middle School and Leon High School, both of which are located in close proximity. Investigators were quickly able to locate the defendant in Gadsden County, where he was taken into custody by the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office. Murray admitted to investigators he had made the telephonic and email threats and directed officers to the location of the handgun he had been pictured with earlier. Investigators recovered the handgun, which matched the weapon pictured during the video he had recorded while parked beside the Kate Sullivan playground.
Sentencing is scheduled before United States District Judge Robert L. Hinkle on April 16, 2026, at 2:00pm, in Tallahassee, Florida. Murray faces a maximum of five years imprisonment on each threat count.
The case was investigated by the Tallahassee Police Department, the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, and the Gadsden County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric K Mountin.
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, human and drug trafficking.
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.
Felon Charged with Trafficking Fentanyl and Illegal Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Cadale Lamar Carson, 34, of Mary Ester, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl; possession with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing fentanyl; 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.
Carson appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho in Pensacola, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for March 16, 2026, at 8:30 am before District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
If convicted of counts one and two, Carson faces a minimum mandatory sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment, up to life, for each count. If convicted of count three, Carson faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton 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 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 Man Federally Charged for Unlawful Possession of a SilencerRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Dean Allen Harper, 55, of Gainesville, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for possession of an unmarked and unregistered firearm/silencer. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.
Harper appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Midori A. Lowry in Gainesville, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for March 25, 2026, at 8:30 am before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor in Gainesville, Florida.
Harper faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment if convicted.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. 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, human and drug trafficking.
As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.
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.
Armed Drug Trafficker Sentenced for Firearms and Narcotics OffensesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Corderrius Terrelle McShane, 38, of Ocala, Florida, was sentenced to 12 years in prison after previously pleading guilty to distribution of more than 40 grams of fentanyl, possession with intent to distribute more than 40 grams of fentanyl, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and 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 substantial prison sentence is a reflection of the incredible threat this violent drug trafficker posed to our community by flooding our streets with fentanyl, a devastatingly deadly drug that President Donald J. Trump recently designated as a weapon of mass destruction. This successful federal prosecution is yet another step toward fulfilling the promise made by President Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi when they launched Operation Take Back America to deploy the full might of the Department of Justice to eliminate the threats posed by drug traffickers and violent felons like this defendant. The residents of the Northern District of Florida deserve safe streets and drug-free communities, and that is exactly what my office will continue to deliver.”
Court documents showed the defendant sold approximately 55 grams of fentanyl in November 2024. Also, that same month, law enforcement conducted a traffic stop of a vehicle the defendant was driving, during which officers located over 230 grams of fentanyl and a loaded firearm. The defendant has prior felony convictions for possession of a weapon or ammunition by a convicted felon, resisting law enforcement with violence, possession of cocaine, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
The conviction and sentence were the result of 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, human and drug trafficking.
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.
Pensacola Tax Preparers Face Federal Charges for Fraudulent Tax Return SchemeRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – D’ontrinique K. Johnson, formerly known as D’ontrinique K. Wilkerson, 30, and Tequilla D. Nairn, formerly known as Tequilla D. Robinson, 37, both of Pensacola, Florida, have been indicted in federal court for one count of conspiracy to aid or assist in preparation of false tax returns and to steal government money and three counts of filing false tax returns. Nairn has additionally been charged with one count of aggravated identity theft and one count of wire fraud. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charges.
Johnson appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Hope T. Cannon for her arraignment at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida. Trial is scheduled for March 16, 2026, at 8:30 am before District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
If convicted, Johnson faces up to 5 years’ imprisonment for the conspiracy count and up to 3 years’ imprisonment for each count related to filing a false tax return.
Nairn appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho for her arraignment at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida. Trial is scheduled for March 16, 2026, at 8:30 am before District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
If convicted, Nairn faces up to 5 years’ imprisonment for the conspiracy count, up to 3 years’ imprisonment for each count related to filing a false tax return, a mandatory consecutive 2 years’ imprisonment for the aggravated identity theft count, and up to 20 years’ imprisonment for the wire fraud count.
The case was investigated by the Internal Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 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.
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.
Joint Statement of Federal Law Enforcement Agencies Regarding Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church FireRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE — Today, the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, issued the following joint statement:
We are actively coordinating with local and state partners regarding a suspicious fire at the Pilgrim Rest Missionary Baptist Church in Havana, Florida, and stand ready to offer additional federal resources needed for this state-led investigation. This alleged arson is just the latest in an alarming trend of attacks and threats directed toward our churches, synagogues, and houses of worship nationwide.
As made clear by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi, we have zero-tolerance for attacks and threats directed at our churches, synagogues, and houses of worship, and the Department of Justice will ensure those vital institutions, and the congregants who gather to freely practice their religion, are kept safe and secure.
Federal Charges Filed Against Registered Sex Offender for Attempting to Entice a Minor for Sex in PensacolaRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – David A. Girard, 70, of Robertsdale, Alabama, has been indicted in federal court on charges of Attempted Enticement of a Minor and Traveling in Interstate Commerce to Engage in Illicit Sexual Conduct. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charges.
The indictment also charges enhanced penalty provisions because Girard is a registered sexual offender based upon prior sex offense convictions in 2009. If convicted, Girard faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 20 years’, and up to life, imprisonment.
Girard is scheduled for trial before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida, on March 2, 2026.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, US Customs and Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, Florida Highway Patrol, and the United States Marshals Service. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Christopher C. Patterson.
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 Felon Indicted for Unlawful Firearm PossessionRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Joseph Columbus Williams, 64, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for two counts 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 Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for March 16, 2026, at 8:15 am before District Court Judge Robert L. Hinkle in Tallahassee, Florida.
Williams faces 15 years’, and up to life, imprisonment on each count.
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, human and drug trafficking.
As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.
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 for Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Earl Vincent Hudgins III, 32, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to three years in federal prison followed by a three-year term of supervised release 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: “Thanks to the outstanding work of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners, another dangerous felon was stopped before he could continue terrorizing our community with violence, and with this successful prosecution by my office he will be kept off our streets for several years. My office will continue fulfilling the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi when they launched Operation Take Back America to protect our communities from dangerous felons like this defendant.”
Court documents reflect that on February 16, 2025, the defendant’s vehicle was stopped for a traffic infraction. A subsequent search uncovered an AR-style firearm loaded with 15 rounds of .300-caliber ammunition, which the defendant was prohibited from possessing as a convicted felon. Later, law enforcement identified multiple posts on the defendant’s social media showing him in possession of the same firearm located during the traffic stop. The defendant also posted a video during the traffic stop captioned, “Bout to go to jail.”
This case was a joint investigation by Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher C. Patterson.
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, human and drug trafficking.
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.
Harris County Detective Faces Federal Charges Following Tallahassee Undercover Operation Targeting Online Child Sexual ExploitationRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – John Frederick Black, 46, of Houston, Texas, has been charged by federal criminal complaint with one count of attempted transfer of obscene material to minors. The charge was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Court documents reflect that in January 2026, Leon County Sheriff’s Office detectives participated in an undercover operation in Tallahassee focused on identifying adults who used the Internet to sexually exploit children. During the operation, the defendant allegedly contacted the undercover officer, who he believed to be a 13-year-old girl, and engaged in sexually explicit conversation. The defendant is also alleged to have sent obscene photographs and videos of himself. The investigation revealed that Black resided in Texas and was employed as a detective with the Harris County Sheriff's Office.
If convicted, Black faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
The case involves an investigation by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Texas.
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.
Dog Fighting & Firearms Convictions Send Panama City Men to Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Fredricus White, 38, and Cornelious Johnson, 41, both of Panama City, Florida, were sentenced to federal prison for possession of fighting dogs and firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon. White was sentenced to seven years in prison, while Johnson was sentenced to two years and six months. Both men are to serve their sentences consecutive to federal sentences handed down last year by a District Court Judge in Georgia for an unrelated dog fight. The defendants will be on supervised release for three years following their release from prison. The sentences were announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “These defendants engaged in the cruel and continued mistreatment of animals, and now they find themselves locked in a federal cell for their crimes. Dismantling this dog fighting enterprise was made possible through the outstanding investigative work of Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford’s deputies and our federal law enforcement partners, and this successful prosecution was secured with excellent support from the Department of Justice’s Environmental and Natural Resources Division. My office is firmly committed to ending the cruel infliction of pain on animals purely for sport and financial gain in the Northern District of Florida.”
Court documents reflect that White and Johnson entered into a conspiracy to violate the Animal Welfare Act from 2018 through February 2024, by participating in organized dog fighting, to include breeding fighting dogs, participating in gambling involving illegal dog fights, and training dogs to participate in dog fights. White and Johnson were previously arrested in Georgia for participating in a dog fight in 2022. Federal arrest warrants in February 2024 for the Georgia dog fight led to the discovery of two rural Panama City area properties where White and Johnson had continued to keep, breed, and train fighting dogs. White’s residence was also searched, and three firearms were found. White was prohibited from possessing firearms due to felony convictions in 2009 and 2012. As part of the case, authorities seized twenty-seven dogs from the properties. The dogs were surrendered to the United States Marshals Service, who handle the care and rehabilitation of seized animals for the United States government.
“The Bay County Sheriff’s Office stands up for victims who have a voice and for those who cannot speak for themselves,” said Sheriff Tommy Ford. “This type of conduct will not be tolerated in our community, and we hope this sends a clear message to anyone who intends to harm our pets.”
“We are glad to partner with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida to bring perpetrators of dog fighting to justice,” said Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD). “Dog fighting is a vicious crime that’s often connected with other criminal activity. ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section is proud to work with our colleagues throughout the Department of Justice to enforce the law.”
The convictions were the result of a joint investigation by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the United States Department of Agriculture Office of the Inspector General with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Meredith L. Steer and Kaitlin Weiss with assistance from ENRD’s Environmental Crimes Section.
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, human and drug trafficking.
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.
Sopchoppy Man Pleads Guilty to Armed Trafficking of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Howard Neil Martin, 46, of Sopchoppy, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to three counts: possession with the intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine; carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking offense; 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: “When President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi launched Operation Take Back America to deploy the full might of the Department of Justice toward eliminating the threats to our community posed by violent felons and drug traffickers, this was precisely the kind of criminal they had in mind. I am extremely proud of this successful prosecution that will keep a dangerous, drug-peddling felon off our streets, and we will continue to aggressively prosecute offenders like this defendant until our communities are drug-free and safe.”
Court documents reflect that deputies with the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report about a burglary in progress at a residence. When they arrived, the defendant was parked in the driveway and was engaged in a verbal dispute with someone watching the residence for the homeowner. Officers could see a firearm in plain view inside the defendant’s truck and, upon running his criminal history, learned that he was a convicted felon. Officers ultimately searched the truck and located approximately half a pound of crystal methamphetamine.
Martin faces up to life imprisonment, as well as a sentencing enhancement because he had previously been convicted of a serious violent felony, specifically, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from 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 April 3, 2026, at 10:00 am at 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, human and drug trafficking.
As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.
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.
Husband & Wife Sentenced for Federal Fentanyl & Firearm CrimesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Kevin Lamonte Powell Jr., 41, of Crestview, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison after having previously pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon. His wife and codefendant, Shantel Marie Powell, 38, of Crestview, was sentenced to one year of home confinement as a part of a five-year probationary term after having been found guilty by a jury of making a false statement to a federal agent. The sentences were announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Fentanyl has an undeniably devastating impact on our communities. Anyone caught peddling this deadly weapon of mass destruction will be aggressively prosecuted by my office as we continue to work arm-in-arm with our state and federal law enforcement partners to rid our streets of this poison. This case is yet another successful prosecution under Operation Take Back America, through which President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi have deployed the full might of the Department of Justice to take down and eliminate the drug traffickers terrorizing our communities.”
Evidence admitted at Shantel Powell’s trial and court documents established that on January 31, 2025, following federal search warrants executed simultaneously at an outbuilding in Crestview where Kevin Powell regularly stored and distributed drugs and the Powells’ home in Pensacola, law enforcement seized fentanyl; evidence that Kevin Powell was packaging and preparing drugs for sale, including two large kilogram presses; a total of five firearms; and various amounts of ammunition. One of the firearms was a privately made firearm with no manufacturer markings or serial number, often referred to as a “ghost gun.” While the search warrant was being executed, Shantel Powell told law enforcement that all the firearms were hers, and she willfully falsely told a federal task force officer that she had purchased the privately made firearm at a particular gun store in Crestview, which was a lie intended to obstruct the investigation of this case.
“This joint operation highlights our law enforcement partners and the relationships we have with them,” said DEA Miami Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin Bobbitt. “Our collaborative effort brought this drug trafficker to justice.”
The convictions were the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Crestview Police Department, and the Niceville Police Department, with assistance from the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia Forbes.
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, human and drug trafficking.
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 Pharmacist and Conspirator Charged with Illegal Drug Diversion ConspiracyRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Douglas Craig Reid Jr., 47, and Martrice Lamar Portis, 47, both of Pensacola, have been charged in federal court with conspiracy to unlawfully dispense and distribute controlled substances and to obtain controlled substances by fraud. The charges were announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Trial for both defendants is currently set for March 2, 2026, before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers. If convicted, each defendant faces a maximum of 20 years’ imprisonment.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration Diversion Control Division, with assistance from the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Gulf Coast High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Task Force. According to court documents, this case is related to a prior case that was indicted as part of the Department of Justice’s 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Alicia 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.
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.