Northern District of Florida
Press releases recorded for this federal judicial district.
Pensacola Man Sentenced for Armed Robbery and Shooting OffensesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Ulysses Robinson, Jr., 41, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for interference with commerce by threat or violence, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, 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: “I am incredibly proud to deliver yet another successful prosecution under Operation Take Back America, which was launched at the direction of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to unleash the full power of the Department of Justice to incapacitate violent offenders, like these defendants, who have terrorized our communities with their crimes. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute and send to federal prison every dangerous felon who dares to threaten the safety of our residents.”
Court documents reveal that on December 16, 2024, Robinson and his partner, Ladarryl Paige – who previously pleaded guilty to the same offenses – entered a business on North Davis Highway and held multiple individuals at gunpoint. Robinson and Paige then robbed these individuals of approximately $10,000 in United States currency as well as the marijuana that was present on scene. During the armed robbery, Robinson forced the victims to comply with orders at gunpoint and discharged his firearm. Law enforcement identified both Robinson and Paige through video surveillance and forensically derived electronic evidence. Robinson is a previously convicted felon who served time in state prison.
“This is an incredible public safety win for residents of Northwest Florida,” said ATF Tampa Field Division’s Acting Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Harrell. “We’re proud to have leveraged our expertise to help Pensacola Police Department bring this violent offender to justice.”
The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Pensacola Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.
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.
Florida Airman Indicted for Distribution, Receipt, and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Matthew Fooladian, 24, of Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with one count of receipt/attempted receipt of child pornography, one count of distribution/attempted distribution of child pornography, and one count of possession/access with intent to view child pornography. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges today.
Fooladian appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for March 23, 2026, at 8:30 am before District Court Judge Mark E. Walker.
If convicted, Fooladian faces a mandatory minimum 5 years’ imprisonment and up to 20 years’ imprisonment on the receipt count; a mandatory minimum 5 years’ imprisonment and up to 20 years’ imprisonment on the distribution count; and up to 20 years’ imprisonment on the possession count.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations. Assistant United States Attorneys Meredith L. Steer and Joseph Ravelo 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.
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 20 Years in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation & Child Pornography CrimesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Michael D. Whitacre, Jr., 31, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced in federal court for engaging in a child exploitation enterprise, distribution of child pornography, and possession of child pornography involving minors under 12 years of age. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said, “This case was the result of excellent investigative work by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI to identify and dismantle this heinous network of sexual predators peddling the most vile images and videos of child exploitation and sexual abuse imaginable. My office remains committed to aggressively prosecuting and seeking maximum punishment for anyone who engages in these disgusting crimes, and we will not stop until our kids are safe.”
Court documents reflect that Whitacre was part of an encrypted online group who shared significant amounts of graphic child pornography. There were over 70 members of the illicit group, which operated in early 2025. The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, with the support of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, was initially notified about Whitacre’s online actions via a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. A forensic analysis conducted by an expert at Homeland Security Investigations revealed a wealth of child sexual abuse material on Whitacre’s cellular telephone along with his access to the online child exploitation enterprise.
After serving his term of 20 years’ imprisonment, Whitacre will have to register as a sexual offender. He was also ordered to pay $16,000 in restitution to the victims.
“Every image shared by Mr. Whitacre represents the real abuse of a child,” said FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley. “By sharing and trading abusive images, he helped fuel a cycle of harm. This sentence reflects our commitment to holding offenders accountable and protecting the most vulnerable members of our community.”
“Protecting our children is our highest priority,” said Sheriff Chip Simmons, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. “When local and federal law enforcement work side by side with the U.S. Attorney's Office, we send a clear message: anyone who preys on children will be arrested, prosecuted, and held accountable.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.
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.
Fraudster Sentenced to Eighteen Years in Prison After Taking and Laundering Millions from Elderly VictimsRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Atharva Shailesh Sathawane, 23, of India, was sentenced to 18 years in prison after a jury previously found him guilty of conspiracy to commit wire fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Elder fraud schemes like this one are taking place every day in every state, but especially in Florida due to our large population of retirees, so it is of critical importance that we educate the public of these threats to prevent these fraudsters from continuing to victimize our seniors. I applaud the excellent investigative work by our state and federal law enforcement partners to uncover and dismantle this complex, international fraud scheme, which was made possible by the brave victims who came forward to report the fraud in the first place. Our hope is that these elder fraud schemes never occur, but the talented prosecutors in my office will aggressively pursue the heinous fraudsters, like this defendant, and seek maximum punishments when we catch them.”
Trial evidence and court documents showed that the defendant, an illegal alien who had overstayed his student visa, was a courier in an international fraud scheme that targeted elderly victims. As part of the scheme, multiple elderly victims were convinced to liquidate their retirement accounts to obtain cash, gold, or both. The defendant would travel to each victim to take possession of large quantities of their cash and gold, and he would then deliver those fraudulently obtained proceeds to his co-conspirators, some of whom were orchestrating the fraud scheme from India.
After an elderly victim suspected he was being defrauded, he notified law enforcement who coordinated an undercover operation. The defendant was arrested upon his arrival at the elderly victim’s residence to pick up more gold. A subsequent search of the defendant’s cellular phone confirmed his involvement in the extensive elder fraud scheme. Over a 4-month period, the defendant made at least 33 trips to retrieve gold and cash from the elderly victims. Forensic analysis of the defendant’s phone revealed that he primarily operated in Florida, but he also traveled to Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey, and New York to retrieve cash and gold from elderly victims of this fraud scheme and deliver those proceeds to other co-conspirators. As a result of the fraud scheme, numerous elderly American citizens lost their entire life savings or experienced substantial financial hardship.
The defendant personally took, and then laundered, $6,615,484.66 in cash and gold from the elderly victims. The defendant attempted to pick up an additional $1,363,395.98 in gold from two elderly victims, but was foiled by the intervention of a concerned friend of a victim in one instance, and by his arrest by law enforcement on the second attempt.
“I commend our detectives for their tireless work in stopping scammers,” said Chief Nelson Moya, Gainesville Police Department. “We will not tolerate criminals who prey on our vulnerable citizens.”
“If anyone tells you to buy gold and hand it over to a stranger, it is not an investment, it is a scam,” said FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley. “Mr. Sathawane preyed on his victims’ trust and fear, convincing them to turn over their life savings in gold. Unfortunately, this is a growing trend. In Florida alone, victims lost more than 33 million dollars last year just to gold bar scams. This sentencing is just one step toward justice for the victims in this scheme and the FBI’s efforts to stop this from happening over and over again.”
“This case underscores the devastating impact of international fraud schemes targeting our elderly citizens,” said Ron Loecker, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation, Florida Field Office. “The defendant’s actions robbed victims of their life savings and financial security. This case highlights the benefits to everyday Americans when local and federal law enforcement work hand in hand to bring criminals to justice and disrupt a network that preyed on the most vulnerable.”
The case involved a joint investigation by the Gainesville Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner.
If you or someone you know is age 60 or older and has experienced financial fraud, experienced professionals are standing by at the National Elder Fraud Hotline 1-833-FRAUD-11 (1-833-372-8311). This Justice Department hotline, managed by the Office for Victims of Crime, can provide personalized support to callers by assessing the needs of the victim and identifying relevant next steps. Case managers will identify appropriate reporting agencies, provide information to callers to assist them in reporting, connect callers directly with appropriate agencies and provide resources and referrals, on a case-by-case basis. Reporting is the first step. Reporting can help authorities identify those who commit fraud and reporting certain financial losses due to fraud as soon as possible can increase the likelihood of recovering losses. The hotline is open Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET. English, Spanish, and other languages are available.
More information about the department’s efforts to help American seniors is available at www.justice.gov/elderjustice. For more information about the Consumer Protection Branch and its enforcement efforts visit www.justice.gov/civil/consumer-protection-branch. Elder fraud complaints can be filed with the FTC at www.reportfraud.ftc.gov/ or at 877-FTC-HELP. The Justice Department provides a variety of resources relating to elder fraud victimization through its Office for Victims of Crime, at www.ovc.gov.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Williston Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Michael Theondra Mozell, Jr., 32, of Williston, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Thanks to the outstanding work of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, with support from our federal law enforcement partners, this violent felon has been taken off our streets and will now find himself in federal prison. This is yet another successful prosecution by my office in fulfillment of the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi that we will Take Back America from the perpetrators of violent crime who have victimized and terrorized our streets for far too long.”
Court documents reflect that during the course of a traffic stop in Gainesville, Florida, a .25 caliber pistol, five grams of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia were seized from the defendant’s vehicle. The defendant is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition as he has prior convictions for attempted robbery with a firearm or deadly weapon, aggravated assault with deadly weapon, and possession of cocaine.
Mozell faces a total of up to 15 years’ imprisonment.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christie S. Utt.
Sentencing is scheduled for April 7, 2026, at 11:00 am, 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, 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 Sentenced to over 22 Years in Prison for Drug and Gun Crimes Committed While on Federal SupervisionRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Dovico Raynard Miles, a/k/a “Vico,” 47, of Gainesville, Florida, was sentenced to a total of 270 months in prison after pleading guilty to narcotics and firearm offenses as well as violating the terms of his federal supervised release. The defendant pleaded guilty to three federal charges: possession with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing methamphetamine, 500 Grams or more of a mixture and substance containing cocaine, 28 grams or more of a mixture and substance containing cocaine base, N,N-Dimethlpentylone, and marijuana; possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime; and possession of a firearm and ammunition 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 yet another successful prosecution under Operation Take Back America, through which President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi have unleashed the full might of the Department of Justice to eliminate the threats to the safety of our communities by drug traffickers and violent felons, like this defendant. We will continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute anyone who peddles this poison on our streets.”
Court documents reflect that in 2022 two armed robbers kicked in the front door of the defendant’s residence intending to steal drugs and cash. During the home invasion, one of the robbers shot and killed the defendant’s niece. After the defendant returned gun fire and both robbers fled, the defendant proceeded to hide large quantities of drugs and firearms in the backyard. Law enforcement ultimately recovered over 1,000 grams of cocaine, over 70 grams of cocaine base, over 1,400 grams of methamphetamine, over 70 grams of marijuana, multiple firearms, and over $10,000 in cash.
At the time of the investigation, the defendant was on federal supervised release for a 2008 conviction involving trafficking cocaine and cocaine base. The defendant was also prohibited from possessing firearms after having been convicted of eight different felonies.
“We have zero tolerance for violent crime and will work with all our partners to seek justice,” said Chief Nelson Moya, Gainesville Police Department. “Keeping our community safe from guns and drugs will always be a priority.”
“Floridians are much safer with this violent drug dealer behind bars,” said ATF Tampa Field Division’s Acting Special Agent in Charge Cheryl Harrell. “This joint investigation is yet another reminder that serious crimes come with serious penalties.”
“Bringing this poly-drug distributor to justice will make North Florida communities safer,” said DEA Miami Field Division Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin Bobbitt. “Methamphetamine can tear apart families and its impact on communities is immeasurable.”
The defendant was sentenced to 240 months’ imprisonment for his gun and drug crimes. He received an additional 30 months’ for violating the terms of his supervised release. Following his term of incarceration, the defendant will be on federal supervised release again for an additional ten years.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Gainesville Police Department, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner and Former Assistant United States Attorney Christopher Elsey.
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.
Former Physician Sentenced to over Seven Years in Federal Prison for Distribution of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Jesse Roger Armstrong, 35, of Gainesville, Florida, was sentenced to ninety months in prison after previously pleading guilty to distribution 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, “Our state and federal law enforcement partners are committed to identifying, investigating, and rooting out the scourge of exploitation and sexual abuse of children online, and my office will continue to back up those efforts with aggressive prosecutions of anyone found to be peddling in child sexual abuse material. Keeping our kids safe is the highest priority for my office, and it begins with sending predators like this defendant to prison.”
Court documents reflect that the defendant knowingly uploaded images of child pornography to the Internet while searching for additional child pornography. Detectives with the Gainesville Police Department also located additional files of child pornography and images of sexual bestiality on the defendant’s electronic devices at his residence. At the time of these offenses, Armstrong was completing his residency in the psychiatric division of a local hospital.
“Keeping our children safe online is a priority,” said Chief Nelson Moya, Gainesville Police Department. “We will continue to pursue anyone who chooses to prey on our children via the internet.”
“HSI is committed to protecting children from exploitation, especially when offenders are in trusted roles like physicians,” said Nick Ingegno, Assistant Special Agent in Charge for HSI in Tallahassee. “Abusing that trust is unacceptable, and we will continue working with our partners to hold these individuals accountable and safeguard our communities.”
The case involved a joint investigation by the Gainesville Police Department's Internet Crimes Against Children Unit and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner.
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.
Florida Attorney’s Racketeering Conviction for Defrauding Nfl Players & Other Clients Affirmed by the Eleventh CircuitRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – On January 7, 2026, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit affirmed the conviction and sentence of Phillip Timothy Howard, 64, of Tallahassee, Florida. Howard is serving a 14-year federal prison sentence after pleading guilty to racketeering (RICO) in 2023. The affirmance was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
United States Attorney Heekin said, “This defendant repeatedly violated the trust placed in him by his clients, enriching himself by defrauding them of millions of dollars, and continued to try to evade accountability for his crimes even after he was found guilty. As this appellate victory makes clear, my office not only zealously advocates for criminal fraud victims at trial, but also ensures our successful prosecutions stick and criminals are held fully accountable.”
Court documents reflect between December 2015 and January 2018, Howard, a Florida attorney, used his Tallahassee law firm Howard & Associates, P.A., to commit wire fraud and money laundering through a racketeering enterprise. Howard defrauded several of his clients, including National Football League players, third-party litigation lenders, and a university professor. In all, Howard fraudulently obtained more than $12 million from his victims.
Howard’s appellate attacks on the validity of his prior guilty plea, the total loss attributable to his fraud scheme, and the severity of his sentence were well-rebutted in briefs filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office defending the conviction and sentence. Judges on the Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals fully agreed with the positions of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and affirmed the conviction and sentence in an unpublished opinion without requiring oral argument.
This conviction was the result of a joint investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service–Criminal Investigations, with assistance from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Assistant United States Attorney Jordane New handled the appeal before the Eleventh Circuit. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen and former Assistant United States Attorney David P. Byron.
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.
Tallahassee Man Pleads Guilty to Transporting Child PornographyRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Charles Eric Love, 56, of Tallahassee, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to transporting child pornography using a means or facility of interstate commerce. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “I deeply appreciate the excellent investigative work of our state and federal law enforcement partners who tracked down this disgusting criminal so my office could bring him to justice on behalf of the innocent children who were exploited and sexually abused in the thousand of image and videos of child sexual abuse material that he possessed. These crimes are truly abhorrent and my office will continue to prosecute the predators like this defendant to the fullest extent of the law.”
Court documents reflect that on March 19, 2025, detectives with the Tallahassee Police Department received seven cyber tips by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. On March 28, 2025, law enforcement obtained a search warrant for the defendant’s Dropbox account, and on April 4, 2025, search warrants were executed at Love’s apartment, house, and office. Multiple electronic devices were seized. A subsequent forensic analysis of the seized devices and online accounts identified over 1,000 of images and video files containing child pornography.
Love faces a mandatory minimum of five years’ imprisonment and up to twenty years’ imprisonment and a lifetime of supervision upon release.
The case involved a joint investigation by Tallahassee Police Department and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric W. Welch
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Panama City Man Indicted for Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Kendrick R. Parham, 48, of Panama City, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.
Parham appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for February 23, 2026, at 8:30 am before District Court Judge Mark E. Walker in Tallahassee, Florida.
Parham faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment if convicted.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. 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.
Florida Inmate Indicted for Distribution, Receipt, and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Edward G. Winn, 47, an inmate at Okaloosa Correctional Institution, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with one count of distribution of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, and one count of possession of child pornography. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges today.
Winn appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for February 24, 2026, before Chief District Judge Allen C. Winsor.
If convicted, Winn faces a mandatory 15 years’ imprisonment and up to 40 years’ imprisonment on the distribution count; a mandatory 15 years’ imprisonment and up to 40 years’ imprisonment on the receipt count; and up to 20 years’ imprisonment on the possession count.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the Florida Department of Corrections-Office of Inspector General. 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.
Chipley-Based Physical Therapy Practice Pays over $750,000 to Resolve False Claims Act LitigationRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Absolute Physical & Aquatic Therapy, LLC; Chipley Physical Therapy, LLC; Ruben Laurel; and Lorrie Laurel have agreed to pay $754,722.88 to resolve allegations that they violated the False Claims Act (“FCA”) by knowingly causing the submission of false claims for physical therapy services allegedly performed by Lorrie Laurel, a physical therapist, while she was outside the United States, announced U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said, “I am incredibly proud of the great work by my office to recover these U.S. taxpayer monies that were improperly paid out for false claims submitted by this physical therapy practice. President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi have made the elimination of fraud, waste, and abuse in federal programs a top priority, and my office will continue to zealously pursue any person or business who tries to rip off the U.S. Government and steal from the U.S. taxpayer.”
Defendant Chipley Physical Therapy, LLC provides outpatient physical and aquatic therapy services in Chipley, Marianna, and Bonifay, and is owned and operated by Defendants Ruben and Lorrie Laurel. Defendant Absolute Physical & Aquatic Therapy is a physical/occupational therapy group in private practice owned and operated in part by Defendant Ruben Laurel.
The United States alleged that Defendants knowingly submitted false claims for payment in violation of the False Claims Act by billing the government for services while Defendant Lorrie Laurel was out of the country and on cruises in Mexico, Jamaica, Aruba, and the Bahamas between July 2019 and March 2024. Specifically, Defendants submitted 503 claims for payment to the United States for services Defendant Lorrie Laurel allegedly performed while she was abroad. The FCA provides for the award of treble damages and civil penalties for, among other things, knowingly presenting or causing the presentment of false or fraudulent claims to the United States for payment or approval. 31 U.S.C. § 3729(a)(1)(A).
To resolve the pending litigation, Defendants agreed to pay treble damages and penalties, in the amount of $754,722.88, of which $19,988.34 is restitution. As part of the resolution, Defendants also agreed to: (1) appoint and maintain an external Compliance Officer for a period of three years who will submit periodic reports to the United States; (2) develop and implement policies and procedures regarding appropriate billing and medical record documentation for compliance with Federal health care program requirements; (3) require quarterly training for all employees on Federal health care program billing, coding and claim submission, and medical record documentation requirements; and (4) the imposition of additional stipulated penalties for failure to comply with any of the aforementioned non-monetary terms.
“Submitting claims for services that could not have been performed is a blatant abuse of federal health care programs and undermines the trust patients place in the system,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Ricardo M. Carcas of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General. “Today’s resolution reflects our commitment to working with our law enforcement partners to safeguard taxpayer funds and ensure accountability for those who knowingly submit false claims.”
The civil settlement includes the resolution of claims brought under the qui tam or whistleblower provisions of the False Claims Act by Ariel Bowen, a former employee. Under those provisions, a private party can file an action on behalf of the United States and receive a portion of any recovery. The qui tam case is United States ex rel. Ariel Bowen v. Absolute Physical & Aquatic Therapy, LLC, et al., Case No. 5:21-cv-236-TKW-MJF (N.D. Fla.). Ms. Bowen will receive $150,944.58 in connection with the settlement.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provided substantial assistance in the investigation.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mary Ann Couch and Marie Moyle represented the United States in this matter.
The claims resolved by the settlement are allegations only and there has been no determination of liability.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Panama City Felon Indicted for Unlawful Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – John D. Ford, 50, of Panama City, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.
Ford appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for February 23, 2026, at 8:30 am before District Court Judge Mark E. Walker in Tallahassee, Florida.
Ford faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment if convicted.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. 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.
Mexican National Sentenced to Sixteen Months in Prison Following Armed Standoff with Law EnforcementRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Camerino Perez Perez, a/k/a “Squirrel,” 42, of Mexico, was sentenced to sixteen months in prison after previously pleading guilty to possession of a firearm and ammunition by an alien unlawfully in the United States. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This case demonstrates the remarkable danger our law enforcement officers face on a daily basis, and I applaud the skill and professionalism with which they acted to incapacitate this violent, armed illegal alien. My office will continue to deliver successful prosecutions like this one to fulfill the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America from the violent criminal aliens who have illegally entered our country and who threaten the safety of our communities.”
Court documents reflect that on May 25, 2025, the defendant was holding a loaded rifle when law enforcement responded to a residence in Levy County for a domestic disturbance call. The defendant had to be tased after he refused to comply with law enforcement’s instructions in English and Spanish to drop the firearm and then flipped a table towards the law enforcement on scene. After the defendant was detained, law enforcement found an additional twenty-four rounds of ammunition in his pocket. The defendant, a citizen and national of Mexico, is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition because he entered the United States illegally and was not authorized to remain in the United States.
The defendant will be held for deportation proceedings at the conclusion of serving his federal sentence.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Levy County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, 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 http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Former Postal Worker and Accomplice Federally Indicted for Mail Theft, Bank Fraud & Aggravated Identity TheftRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Jaheed Anthony Lloyd Williams, 25, and Taija Avion Smith, 26, both of Tallahassee, Florida, have been indicted in federal court. Williams has been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail theft, unlawful possession of a mail key, theft of mail, bank fraud conspiracy, 15 counts of bank fraud, and three counts of aggravated identity theft. Smith has been charged with one count of conspiracy to commit mail theft, theft of a mail key, bank fraud conspiracy, and two counts of aggravated identity theft. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges.
Williams and Smith appeared in federal court for their arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for February 24, 2026, before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor in Tallahassee, Florida.
Williams and Smith face the following penalties, if convicted:
- Conspiracy to Commit Mail Theft: maximum of five years’ imprisonment, followed by a maximum of three years’ supervised release.
- Unlawful Possession or Theft of a Mail Key: maximum of 10 years’ imprisonment, followed by a maximum of three years supervised release.
- Theft of Mail: maximum of five years’ imprisonment, followed by a maximum of three years supervised release.
- Bank Fraud Conspiracy: maximum of 30 years’ imprisonment, followed by a five years’ supervised release.
- Bank Fraud: maximum of 30 years’ imprisonment, followed by a five years’ supervised release.
- Aggravated Identity Theft: mandatory consecutive term of two years’ imprisonment, followed by one-year supervised release.
This case was jointly investigated by the Tallahassee Police Department, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Justin M. Keen.
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.
Convicted Human Trafficker Sentenced to Federal Prison for Illegally Reentering the United StatesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Edwin Joel Martinez-Cruz, also known as “Edwin Joel Ibarras-Ardon” and “Edwin Ibarra,” 38, of Nicaragua, was sentenced to 21 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegal reentry into the United States. 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 is precisely who Operation Take Back America is intended to protect our communities – and our country – from: a convicted human trafficker who has shown no regard for human life or our laws. Thanks to the commitment of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to unleash the full power of the Department of Justice, the citizens of the Northern District of Florida can rest assured that my office will continue to aggressively prosecute these cases to deliver just punishments and swift deportations to criminal alien offenders like this defendant.”
Court documents reflect that the defendant, a citizen of Nicaragua, departed the United States in 2022 after an Immigration Judge entered an Order of Removal. He illegally returned to the United States less than a year later and was convicted for human trafficking of a child.
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant United States Attorney Brooke DiSalvo prosecuted the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, 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 Fugitive Sentenced to Nine Years in Prison for Possession of Firearm by a Convicted FelonRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Justin Grantsteadman, 36, of Tallahassee, Florida, was sentenced to 108 months 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: “The U.S. Marshals are second-to-none in tracking down fugitives and bringing them to justice. My office stands ready to back up their hard work to get dangerous felons off our streets with successful prosecutions and lengthy prison sentences to fulfill the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America from the perpetrators of violent crime.”
Court documents reflect that the United States Marshal Service Fugitive Task Force located the defendant at a motel in Midway, Florida, due to an active warrant for absconding from state felony probation. Law enforcement arrested the defendant and found a Taurus 9-millimeter pistol in his front pocket, which had been reported stolen several days before in Tallahassee.
“Grantsteadman was an armed and dangerous fugitive who thought he could outrun the law. Our community is now safer with him behind bars,” remarked Acting U.S. Marshal Greg Leljedal.
Upon his release from prison, Grantsteadman will be on three years of supervised release.
The case involved an investigation by the United States Marshals Service, the Tallahassee Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, 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.
Registered Sex Offender Indicted for Attempted Enticement of a MinorRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Dawaun Shunard Jackson, 40, of Tallahassee, has been indicted in federal court on one count of attempted enticement of a minor and one count of penalties for registered sex offenders. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges.
Jackson appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Martin J. Fitzpatrick on January 13, 2026, in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for March 16, 2026, before District Court Judge Robert L. Hinkle in Tallahassee, Florida.
If convicted of attempted enticement of a minor, Jackson faces between 10 years’ and up to life imprisonment. If convicted of penalties for registered sex offenders, Jackson faces an additional 10 years’ imprisonment consecutive to any other sentence.
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 Justin M. Keen.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice and led by the U.S. Attorney’s Offices and the Criminal Divisions Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), it marshals federal, state, and local resources to better locate, apprehend, and prosecute individuals who exploit children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims. For more information about Project Safe Childhood, please visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
Pensacola Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening to Kill a Pensacola Police DetectiveRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Tamal W. Jenkins, 19, of Pensacola, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court for interstate threatening communication with intent to extort. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “My office has zero tolerance for acts of violence and threats directed toward law enforcement. We will continue to back up the brave men and women who keep our streets safe with aggressive prosecutions against anyone who dares to threaten their safety.”
Court documents reveal that in July 2025 the Pensacola Police Department arrested suspects in a homicide investigation. Within days of the arrest, one of the Pensacola Police Detectives involved in the investigation received an electronic message making threats against her life for taking a suspect into custody. Law enforcement traced the threatening messages back to a device belonging to Jenkins.
Jenkins faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment upon sentencing, which is scheduled for April 14, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Pensacola Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney David L. Goldberg.
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.
United States Attorney Heekin Praises 2025 AccomplishmentsRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE – United States Attorney John P. Heekin announced today a summary of significant accomplishments made by the Northern District of Florida in 2025. Highlighting the impact of his office’s work, U.S. Attorney Heekin emphasized his continued commitment to advance the priorities of the Department of Justice and protect our communities.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This past year was momentous for the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida as we capably answered the calls to action by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi while fulfilling the vital mission of the Department of Justice. Through our work, we have demonstrated our unwavering commitment to the rule of law and the safety and wellbeing of our communities. Of course, we could not have succeeded without the close and lasting partnerships we have with our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, which we will further strengthen in 2026 as we strive toward delivering safe streets for our residents.”
The federal case work performed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office is divided across three divisions: Criminal, Civil, and Appellate. More information about the Northern District of Florida’s varied responsibilities can found at http://www.justice.gov/usao/usao-ndfl/what-we-do.
The Criminal Division answered the call to action by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi through Operation Take Back America, which marshaled 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, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, human and drug trafficking. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida made significant strides to deliver justice for our communities poisoned by illegal drugs and plagued by criminal violence, including the following in calendar year 2025:
- 391 criminal defendants charged;
- 293 guilty pleas entered;
- 35 criminal jury trials conducted;
- 984 direct contacts with crime victims, and 9,818 written notifications issued to victims of crime.
The Civil Division represents the interests of the United States in civil litigation, defending federal agencies and workers sued in their official capacity and pursuing affirmative lawsuits to recover monies improperly or fraudulently taken from the federal government. The Division’s Financial Litigation Program also works to enforce criminal and civil monetary judgments and recover restitution owed to ensure criminal defendants do not profit from their crimes. Notable work performed by the Civil Division in 2025 included:
- Zealous representation of federal partners in the 53 newly filed defensive matters;
- Recovery of $1.7 million lost to false claims submitted to the U.S. Government through three settlements of Affirmative Civil Enforcement matters;
- $6.4 million in criminal money judgments collected;
- Nearly $4 million applied toward victim restitution through asset forfeiture restoration;
- More than $1 million distributed to state and local law enforcement partners through the Equitable Sharing Program.
The Appellate Division represents the interests of the United States in appeals filed in criminal cases to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals. In 2025, the Appellate Division’s notable accomplishments included:
- 105 appeals filed, which included 93 criminal appeals and 12 civil appeals;
- 113 responses to post-conviction motions filed;
- 80 affirmances of District Court decisions in favor of the Government.
“The substantial accomplishments of 2025 are merely the foundation upon which we will build even greater achievements in 2026,” added U.S. Attorney Heekin. “President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi have set forth ambitious expectations for the United States Attorneys’ Offices nationwide to deliver safe streets for our residents and rein in fraud, waste, and abuse in federal programs. The Northern District of Florida is prepared to meet the urgency of the moment. In 2026, we will remain tireless in our pursuit of justice on behalf of our citizens and committed to making the Northern District of Florida the absolute best – and safest – place in America to live, work, and raise a family.”
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.
Perry Man Indicted for Distribution of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Robert Shane Willis, 47, of Perry, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for distribution of 5 grams or more of methamphetamine. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charge.
Willis appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for February 24, 2026, before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor in Tallahassee, Florida.
Willis faces 10 years’ imprisonment, and up to life, if convicted as charged.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Perry Police Department, and the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office. 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.
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 Man Indicted in Federal Court for Interstate Fentanyl and Cocaine Trafficking and Money Laundering OffensesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Christopher J. Watson, 43, of Pensacola, Florida, was indicted in federal court for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute over 400 grams of fentanyl and over 500 grams of cocaine; conspiracy to utilize a telephone communication facility to carry out a drug trafficking crime; conspiracy to commit money laundering; possession with intent to distribute fentanyl; and attempting to prevent the seizure of drug trafficking evidence by lawful authorities. The indictment was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Watson 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 8:00 am, before District Court Judge M. Casey Rogers.
Watson faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years up to life imprisonment if convicted. The indictment reveals that Watson has previously spent time in federal prison for similar offenses.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the United States Postal Inspection Service, the Internal Revenue Service-Criminal Investigation, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Pensacola Police Department, and the Florida Highway Patrol. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and 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.
Jamaican Citizen Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation CrimesRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Jevan Antonio Miller, 28, a Jamaican citizen residing in Thomasville, Georgia, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison for attempting to entice a minor to engage in sexual activity and interstate travel with intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct after previously pleading guilty in federal court. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “It is one of my office’s top priorities to aggressively prosecute sexual predators, like this defendant, who prey upon our children. Our outstanding state and federal law enforcement partners are unified in their commitment to stopping these sick individuals, and my office will continue to deliver successful prosecutions and lengthy prison sentences to keep our kids safe.”
Court documents reflect that between April 10, 2025, and April 12, 2025, detectives of the Tallahassee Police Department and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, along with Homeland Security Investigations, participated in a joint undercover operation in Leon County focused on identifying individuals using the Internet to sexually exploit children. During the operation, investigators identified the defendant, an adult male who was soliciting an undercover detective, whom the defendant thought was a 15-year-old girl, for sex through an online website. The defendant drove from Thomasville, Georgia, to a meeting location in Tallahassee where he was intercepted by law enforcement and immediately arrested. Investigators discovered that the defendant unlawfully remained in the United States on a student visa after it expired in 2022.
“This predator traveled across state lines with the sole intent to sexually exploit a child he believed was just 15 years old,” said Homeland Security Investigations Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno. “Our amazing joint law enforcement team hatched a plan to intercept and arrest this deviant before he could carry out his vile plans. His actions of using the internet to prey on vulnerable minors for illicit sexual conduct is reprehensible and will not be tolerated.”
Miller’s imprisonment will be followed by a five-year term of supervised release, meaning if he violates any of the conditions of his supervision, he will potentially face an additional period of incarceration. He will also be required to register as a sex offender.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Tallahassee Police Department and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security. 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.
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.
Prison Time for Bank Burglars Involved in Multi-State ATM Heist SchemeRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Quinnaland Jerome Rhodes, 39, of Apalachicola, Florida, Imuel Wade Thompkins, 31, of Missouri City, Texas, and Derron Skinner, 34, of Houston, Texas, were sentenced to prison for conspiracy to commit burglaries, bank burglary, and bank larceny. Thompkins was sentenced to four years in prison; Skinner received a three-year prison term; and Rhodes was sentenced to two years in prison. The sentences were 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 by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Port St. Joe Police Department, and the FBI, these offenders and their multi-state burglary scheme were stopped cold in their tracks. My office will continue to back up the hard work of our law enforcement partners with aggressive prosecutions to send criminals like these men to federal prison.”
On December 10, 2023, and December 23, 2023, Skinner, Thompkins, and Rhodes committed a string of ATM burglaries at banks in Port St. Joe and Callaway, Florida. To commit the burglaries, the defendants used stolen Ford F-250 trucks and tow chains to forcibly open the ATMs. After Thompkins and Rhodes were arrested, it was discovered that Skinner and Thompkins also committed ATM burglaries using stolen Ford F-250 trucks at banks in Oregon and Missouri. The conspirators’ criminal actions caused approximately $351,284 in damage.
“This case demonstrates the importance of strong partnerships between local, state, and federal law enforcement,” said Chief of Police Jake Richards, Port St Joe Police Department. “These were well-organized property crimes that impacted our community and others across the country. Because of coordinated investigative work, those responsible are now being held accountable.”
Sheriff Tommy Ford, Bay County Sheriff’s Office said: “When criminals target our communities, we work together to hold them accountable and protect the people we serve.”
All three defendants will be on supervised release for three years following their release from prison. They were ordered to pay $351,284 in restitution.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the Port St. Joe Police Department, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey M. Tharp.
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 17 Years in Federal Prison for Firearms and Narcotics OffensesRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Malcolm Terrell Louis, 40, of Pensacola, was sentenced to 17 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to two counts of possession with intent to distribute 5 grams of more of methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, two counts of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and two counts of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Thanks to the outstanding work of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners, my office was able to deliver this successful prosecution to keep drugs and this dangerous criminal off our streets. This is yet another win for Operation Take Back America, fulfilling the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to unleash the full power of the Department of Justice to incapacitate the violent drug traffickers and career criminals who have terrorized our streets for far too long.”
According to court records, on December 17, 2024, law enforcement observed a parked vehicle outside a housing complex in Pensacola with the engine running and no one inside. Multiple bags of narcotics including methamphetamine, cocaine, and marijuana, cell phones, and a Glock handgun were observed inside the vehicle. The cell phone was later identified as belonging to the defendant and his fingerprints were on one of the bags of narcotics. The methamphetamine weighed over 50 grams. On March 7, 2025, law enforcement executed a search warrant at a residence in Pensacola that was occupied by the defendant and others. Investigators located multiple firearms, ammunition, and multiple bags of narcotics, including methamphetamine, cocaine, fentanyl, and marijuana. The methamphetamine weighed over 25 grams. The defendant is a multi-time convicted felon, who was released from state prison in 2024 after a five-year sentence.
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 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 Man Charged with Drug TraffickingRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Adrian Dion Pettaway Jr., 24, of Pensacola, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with distribution of a controlled substance. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges today.
Pettaway appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Hope T. Cannon on December 22, 2025, in Pensacola, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for February 17, 2026, at 8:30 am before District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
If convicted, Pettaway faces between five to 40 years’ imprisonment.
The case involved a joint investigation by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Tharp 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.
Two Convicted Felons Charged with Trafficking FentanylRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Ke Anthony Javon Blackmon, 29, and Averee Kathryn Savage, 27, both of Pensacola, were indicted by a federal grand jury. Each defendant has been charged with conspiracy to distribute and possession 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.
Blackmon appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Michael J. Frank in Pensacola, Florida. Trial is scheduled for March 16, 2026, at 8:30 am before District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
Savage appeared for her arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Hope T. Cannon in Pensacola, Florida. Trial is scheduled for January 20, 2026, at 8:30 am before District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
If convicted, as charged, they each face a minimum mandatory of ten years up to life imprisonment on the drug charges and a maximum of 15 years imprisonment on the gun charge.
The Drug Enforcement Administration, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case. 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 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 Drug Distribution Conspiracy and Illegal Weapons ChargesRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Garret Culpepper, 25, of Tallahassee, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute marijuana, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, and unlawful 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 case is the result of the outstanding investigation by the Tallahassee Police Department and our federal law enforcement partners, which dismantled a large-scale drug trafficking scheme by the defendant. My office will continue to deliver successful prosecutions, like this one, to fulfill the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi through Operation Take Back America that our communities would be liberated from the scourge of drugs and criminal violence that has plagued our streets for far too long.”
Court documents reflect that beginning in 2023, investigators identified the defendant as a significant distributor of illicit marijuana and THC products, including THC ‘vape’ cartridges. Investigators were able to detail the defendant’s involvement in the manufacture and distribution of thousands of THC cartridges, hundreds of pounds of THC products such as wax, and thousands of pounds of raw marijuana. This investigation ultimately led to the execution of a search warrant at the defendant’s Tallahassee residence on March 18, 2025, during which investigators recovered equipment designed to fill THC vape cartridges in bulk, just under 34 pounds of THC products, approximately 15 pounds of raw marijuana, body armor, multiple firearms, including rifles and handguns staged for easy access throughout the residence, and over $80,000 in U.S. currency.
Culpepper faces a total of up to life imprisonment on the combined conspiracy, possession with intent to distribute, and firearms possession charges.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Tallahassee Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric K. Mountin.
Sentencing for Culpepper is scheduled for March 16, 2026, at 10:00 am, at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee, 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, 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 Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison for Distributing MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Lionel Mitchel Crawford, 54, of Marianna, Florida was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to Distribution of 5 Grams or More of Methamphetamine and 50 Grams or More of a Mixture and Substance Containing Methamphetamine. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Methamphetamine has a devastating impact on our communities, but our state and federal law enforcement partners remain relentless in their execution of operations like this one to rid our streets of this deadly drug and the criminals who peddle it. My office will continue to deliver on the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi through Operation Take Back America to use the full force of the law to protect our communities from drug traffickers like this defendant.”
According to court records, on December 12, 2024, the defendant sold over 50 grams of methamphetamine during a law enforcement undercover operation. The sale occurred at the defendant’s property in Jackson County, Florida. The defendant has a previous conviction for a serious drug felony.
“This joint effort brought a methamphetamine trafficker to justice,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin Bobbitt of DEA Miami Field Division. “Methamphetamine destroys families and DEA will not stop until the flow of this poison is stopped.”
The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Eric Welch and 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, 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.
Twice-Deported Salvadoran Man Sentenced for Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Jose Neftali Monge-Guevara, 38, of El Salvador, was sentenced yesterday to nearly two months in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegal reentry of a removed alien. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “The criminal alien has repeatedly shown complete disregard for our nation’s immigration laws, and now he’ll spend time in federal prison before being deported for the third – and hopefully final – time. President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi launched Operation Take Back America to repel the invasion of illegal immigration that persisted unchecked for the past several years, and my office will continue to fulfill that mission with successful prosecutions like this one.”
According to court records, Monge-Guevara was discovered to be illegally in the United States after he was encountered by the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office and Florida Highway Patrol during a traffic stop in Wakulla County, Florida, on October 26, 2025. Law enforcement determined that Monge-Guevara was a citizen and national of El Salvador who had been previously deported or removed from the United States in 2013 and 2014. Thereafter, Monge-Guevara had not applied for nor obtained permission from the United States Secretary of Homeland Security or the Attorney General to reenter the United States.
An ICE detainer has been lodged against Monge-Guevara, and deportation proceedings against him will commence soon.
The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Highway Patrol, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. 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, 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.
Mexican Man Pleads Guilty to Attempted Enticement of a Minor and Immigration OffenseRead the Press Release
PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Noe Zamudio Hernandez, 43, of Mexico, pleaded guilty in federal court to attempted enticement of a minor and illegal reentry of a previously removed alien. 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 the Bay County Sheriff’s Office, in close collaboration with our federal law enforcement partners, this previously deported illegal alien was stopped before he could sexually victimize a child. My office will continue to back up this great work by our law enforcement partners with successful prosecutions, and this criminal alien sexual predator will find himself in federal prison before being swiftly deported from this country.”
Court documents reflect that the defendant came under investigation in 2024 during an operation aimed at identifying individuals targeting children for sexual exploitation. During the operation, the defendant communicated with an individual he believed was a minor to arrange for a sexual transaction. When the defendant was arrested, law enforcement learned he was unlawfully present in the United States and had been previously removed to Mexico.
Zamudio Hernandez faces a mandatory minimum sentence of ten years’ imprisonment up to life in prison.
The case involved a joint investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Bay County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith L. Steer.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 26, 2026, at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before United States District Judge Mark E. Walker.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, human and drug trafficking.
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.
Convicted Felon Pleads Guilty to Unlawful Possession of a FirearmRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Isaiah Markeis Sims, 23, of Pensacola, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Operation Take Back America continues to deliver on the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi that our communities would be made safer by unleashing the full power of the Department of Justice to crack down on the perpetrators of violent crime. I am very proud of the excellent work by Sheriff Chip Simmons and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, in collaboration with our federal law enforcement partners, to remove this dangerous felon from our streets, and my office will continue to back up their efforts with successful prosecutions.”
Court documents reflect that on August 25, 2025, deputies with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle, and the defendant was a passenger in the vehicle. The defendant fled on foot from the deputies and when he fell to the ground, deputies located a loaded Glock handgun beside him on the ground. The defendant is a convicted felon.
Sims faces up to fifteen years’ 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 is scheduled for March 24, 2026, at 10:00am 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.
Madison County Sex Offender Indicted for Failure to RegisterRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Tavaris Andre Donaldson, 30, of Madison, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury for failing to register as a sex offender. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charge today.
Donaldson appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for February 23, 2026, before District Judge Mark E. Walker.
If convicted, Donaldson faces up to ten years’ imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the United States Marshals Service and the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. 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.
Former Tallahassee Man Sentenced to 15 Years in Federal Prison for Child Exploitation CrimesRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Gabriel Michael Stoelzel, 26, of Port St. Lucie, Florida, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for attempting to entice or persuade a minor to engage in sexual activity, distribution of child pornography, and receipt of child pornography after previously pleading guilty in federal court. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “It is one of our highest duties to protect our children from the predations of sex offenders like this defendant, so I applaud the outstanding investigative work by our state and federal law enforcement partners to identify and catch this offender. My office will continue to prosecute these sick individuals with the full force of the law and seek maximum punishment for their disgusting crimes to keep our children safe, both online and in our communities.”
Court documents reflect that in 2024, the Tallahassee Police Department received CyberTips that were generated by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children based on information provided by online social media platforms. Records show that while living in Tallahassee the defendant uploaded child pornography to social media servers while he sent the files to other users. An investigation revealed that the defendant had been communicating with other users, some of whom said that they were as young as 14 years of age, to convince them to meet for sex. Additionally, law enforcement searched the defendant’s Tallahassee residence and uncovered evidence that the defendant sent and received child pornography through an online application.
“Protecting children from exploitation is one of the most critical responsibilities of law enforcement,” said Chief Lawrence Revell. “This sentence reflects the gravity of the harm inflicted on victims and the unwavering commitment of our investigators to identify offenders, work in close partnership with our federal counterparts, and ensure those who prey on children are held fully accountable. The Tallahassee Police Department will continue to use every investigative tool available to protect children and uphold the safety of our community.”
“There is no safe haven for anyone who preys on children,” said FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Jason Carley. “The FBI will continue to aggressively investigate these crimes, which inflict irreparable harm and lasting trauma to the victims. This case highlights the critical partnership between our agents and state law enforcement partners and ensures there is one less predator victimizing the most innocent and vulnerable members of our community.”
Stoelzel’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 additional prison time.
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.
Cottondale Man Pleads Guilty to Child Pornography OffensesRead the Press Release
PANAMA CITY, FLORIDA – Mark David Swearingen, 32, of Cottondale, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to possess and transportation 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: “Our state and federal law enforcement partners are unified in their commitment to root out and eliminate the threats posed by predators who sexually exploit and victimize children, and this investigation and successful prosecution is another step toward achieving that goal. The possession and distribution of child sexual abuse material has the effect of re-victimizing the sexually exploited children each and every time those horrific images and videos are shared, and this abhorrent crime deserves the most severe punishment. My office will not hesitate to pursue maximum justice in these cases to keep our kids safe.”
Court documents reflect that the defendant came under investigation in 2025 when law enforcement received information indicating the defendant had been using a Google account to access child pornography. Law enforcement sought a search warrant and discovered the defendant possessed hundreds of images of minors being sexually abused by adults on several electronic devices.
Swearingen faces a mandatory minimum sentence of five years’ imprisonment and up to twenty years’ imprisonment, and a lifetime of supervision upon release.
The case involved a joint investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement with assistance from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith L. Steer.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 26, 2026, at 3:00 pm at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before United States District Judge Mark E. Walker.
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 Man Charged with Transportation and Possession of Child PornographyRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Cedrick Campbell, 35, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been indicted in federal court on one count of transportation of child pornography and one count of possession/access with intent to view child pornography. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges.
Campbell appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick on January 5, 2026, for his initial appearance at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida. Trial is scheduled for March 2, 2026, at 8:15 am before District Court Judge Robert L. Hinkle.
If convicted, Campbell, faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment on each count.
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 Meredith L. Steer.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case was brought as part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative to combat the growing epidemic of child sexual exploitation and abuse. Launched in May 2006 by the Department of Justice 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 http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Gainesville Man Indicted on Federal Drug and Gun ChargesRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – DaMorie Lamontay Miles, 19, of Gainesville, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of unlawful transfer or possession of a machine gun, and one count of receipt, possession, transfer, or production of a firearm which is not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the charges.
Miles appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Midori A. Lowry on January 7, 2026 in Gainesville, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for February 11, 2026, before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor in Gainesville, Florida.
If convicted on all counts, Miles faces up to 40 years’ imprisonment.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Gainesville Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christie S. Utt.
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.
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.
Mexican Man Sentenced to Prison for Immigration-Related FraudRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Eduardo Saavedra Melayes, 45, a Mexican national, was sentenced to two years in federal prison for aggravated identify theft, falsely representing U.S. citizenship, and false statement in application for passport. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This illegal alien chose to try to lie, cheat, and steal his way into this country, but thanks to the vigilance and excellent investigation of our federal partners he will now find himself in federal prison before being swiftly deported thereafter. My office has zero-tolerance for violations of our nation’s laws, and we will aggressively prosecute these crimes to the fullest extent.”
Court documents reflect that in December of 2023, the defendant submitted a passport application in-person at a Panama City post office. Upon processing, the application was denied due to indicators of fraud. An investigation uncovered that the defendant submitted the passport application using someone else’s identity. The documents submitted during the application process were possessed unlawfully. Additionally, a previous false passport was used in 2008, 2009, 2024, and 2025 to travel between the United States and Mexico. The defendant was at all times unlawfully present in the United States.
“We are a key partner in the United States’ work to reduce illegal immigration and root out those who endeavor to exploit the U.S. travel system,” said Ryan McSeveney, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Miami Field Office. “DSS proudly coordinates with the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our U.S. and international law enforcement partners to investigate allegations of crime related to passport and visa fraud — and to bring those who commit these crimes to justice.”
The sentence was the result of an investigation by the Diplomatic Security Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Meredith L. Steer.
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 http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Federal Felon Pleads Guilty to Firearm OffenseRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Ernest Lee Thomas II, 35, of Pensacola, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “The outstanding work by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, in close collaboration with our federal law enforcement partners, led to this successful prosecution, which will ensure this dangerous offender is kept off our streets. The safety of our communities is non-negotiable, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute all violations of federal law to incapacitate criminal offenders who threaten our peace.”
Court documents reflect that on May 31, 2025, deputies with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle occupied by the defendant. During the traffic stop, a search of the vehicle uncovered a loaded black .45-caliber Taurus handgun with a round in the chamber and five rounds in the magazine. While speaking with law enforcement, the defendant made statements indicating the firearm belonged to him. The defendant had previously been convicted in the Northern District of Florida of Distribution of Cocaine and Possession of Stolen Firearms.
The defendant faces up to fifteen years’ imprisonment followed by a term of supervised release.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher C. Patterson.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 24, 2026, at 9:00 am at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access 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.
Previously Deported Alien Indicted for Illegal Entry and Assault of an Immigration OfficerRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Edwin Antonio Rodriguez-Gonzalez, 31, of El Salvador, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with illegal entry by a deported alien and assault of a government official. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges today.
Rodriguez-Gonzalez appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick, in Tallahassee, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for February 3, 2026, at 8:30 am, before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor.
If convicted, Rodriguez-Gonzalez faces up to three years’ imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations and the Florida Highway Patrol. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access 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.
Honduran Man Sentenced for Possession of Child Pornography and Illegal ReentryRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Marco Tulio Gonzalez-Oliva, 25, of Honduras, was sentenced to 51 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to illegal reentry and possession 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 possession of child sexual abuse material is a disgusting offense that perpetuates a cycle of victimization for the innocent children who have been exploited and abused, and my office remains committed to aggressively prosecuting offenders like this defendant to put an end to that. Thanks to the excellent investigative work of the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office and Homeland Security Investigations, this criminal illegal alien will spend years in federal prison before being deported. My office remains committed to fulfilling the mandate of Operation Take Back America by keeping our communities safe and our border secure.”
According to court records, the defendant was encountered in Okaloosa County, Florida, during the execution of a search warrant at a residence. During a search of the defendant’s cell phone, law enforcement located photographs and videos of child pornography. Investigators also determined the defendant was an illegal alien present in the United States after being previously deported in 2023.
“Protecting children from online exploitation is not just a duty—it's a moral responsibility,” said Homeland Security Investigations Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno. “Every image and video of child sexual abuse shared on the dark web perpetuates victimization. We will relentlessly pursue those who prey on the innocent, preventing these predators from using the internet as a safe haven.”
“No child should ever be victimized by a predator and we're happy our efforts and partnership helped lead to this sentencing,” said Sheriff Eric Aden, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. “It sends a clear message that possessing child pornography or illegally reentering our country to commit crimes will reap consequences through the results of an united ongoing mission to protect our children.”
The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. 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 case was also 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 theU.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Drug Trafficker Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal PrisonRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Ohagee Curry, a/k/a “Gee”, 28, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to 10 years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine and 500 grams or more of a mixture containing methamphetamine and distribution of more than 50 grams of methamphetamine. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Our state and federal law enforcement partners were relentless in their investigation of this large drug trafficking operation, and it paid off with the dismantling of that network through this successful prosecution. My office continues to aggressively prosecute these crimes to fulfill the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America from the drug traffickers flooding our communities with deadly drugs.”
Curry was one of 14 defendants charged in three different indictments. He was at the center of a methamphetamine distribution organization operating in Cantonment, Pensacola, and Beulah, Florida, that was uncovered by a multi-year investigation conducted by local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies. The defendant obtained packages of methamphetamine from California via the U.S. Mail and by courier from Alabama. He then provided the illegal drugs to others for distribution throughout the Panhandle. Law enforcement seized multiple packages from the mail which contained high purty methamphetamine.
“This successful investigation was the result of great teamwork between our agents and law enforcement partners,” said Acting Special Agent in Charge Kevin Bobbitt, DEA Miami Field Division. “We will not stop until these criminals are brought to justice.”
“This case highlights the power of strong collaboration between local, state, and federal law enforcement,” said Sheriff B. Johnson, Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. “Together, we are committed to removing dangerous drugs from our communities.”
The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the United States Postal Inspection Service. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Walter Narramore.
This prosecution is part of the Homeland Security Task Force (HSTF) initiative established by Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion. The HSTF is a whole-of-government partnership dedicated to eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, and human smuggling and trafficking rings operating in the United States and abroad. Through historic interagency collaboration, the HSTF directs the full might of United States law enforcement towards identifying, investigating, and prosecuting the full spectrum of crimes committed by these organizations, which have long fueled violence and instability within our borders. In performing this work, the HSTF places special emphasis on investigating and prosecuting those engaged in child trafficking or other crimes involving children. The HSTF further utilizes all available tools to prosecute and remove the most violent criminal aliens from the United States. HSTF comprises agents and officers from multiple agencies with the prosecution being led by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Convicted Child Sexual Abuser from Mexico Pleads Guilty to Illegally Reentering the CountryRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Marco Olavarrieta-Beranza, also known as “Marco Leonardo Olavarrieta,” 45, a Mexican national, pleaded guilty in federal court to illegal reentry into the United States. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “This sexual predator was previously deported after committing a heinous sex crime against a minor, and I applaud the excellent work of our federal law enforcement partners who continue to follow through on the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America from the criminal aliens who have violated our nation’s laws and threaten our communities. My office has zero tolerance for criminal activity of any kind, and we will aggressively prosecute offenders like this defendant to keep our communities safe and our border secure.”
Court documents reflect that the defendant was deported from the United States in 2019 after being convicted of sexual abuse of a minor under the age of fourteen and attempted sexual abuse of a minor under the age of twelve. He illegally returned to the United States and was found in Escambia County, Florida, in November 2025. He now faces up to twenty years in prison followed by removal from the United States.
The case was investigated by U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, Enforcement and Removal Operations. Assistant United States Attorney Brooke DiSalvo is prosecuting the case.
Olavarrieta-Beranza’s sentencing is scheduled for March 11, 2026, at 10:30 am 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.
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.
Ocala Man Sentenced to Federal Prison for Possession of MethamphetamineRead the Press Release
TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Jean-Marie Lubin Celestin, 31, of Ocala, Florida, was sentenced to serve eight years and six months in prison, followed by a 10-year term of supervised release, after previously pleading guilty to possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Our state and federal law enforcement partners are committed to eradicating drug traffickers from our communities, and my office will continue to back up excellent investigations like this one with successful prosecutions to send these peddlers of poisonous drugs to federal prison. The residents of the Northern District of Florida deserve safe streets and drug-free communities, and that is exactly what we will deliver.”
According to court records, the defendant previously supplied pounds of methamphetamine to a drug trafficker operating in the area of Crawfordville, Florida. Law enforcement conducted an investigation wherein the defendant delivered approximately four pounds of methamphetamine, resulting in both his arrest and seizure of the narcotics. The defendant had prior state convictions in Florida, Georgia, and Missouri, and had only been released from the Florida Department of Corrections 15 months prior to his arrest in this case.
“This sentence sends a clear message that drug trafficking will not be tolerated in Wakulla County,” said Sheriff Jared F. Miller. “Methamphetamine destroys lives, families, and entire communities. I commend our Deputies and our federal partners for their hard work on this case and thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office for holding this offender accountable. Working together, we will continue to target those who bring dangerous drugs into our community and do everything possible to keep Wakulla County safe.”
“Methamphetamine is a poison that destroys lives and tears at the fabric of our communities,” said Homeland Security Investigations Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingengo. “This recidivist criminal repeatedly chose personal gain and profit by pushing these dangerous narcotics into our neighborhoods, putting countless lives at risk, and contributing to the cycle of addiction and crime. Alongside our partners, we’re committed to protecting the public and holding those who traffic in these deadly substances accountable.”
The conviction and sentence were the result of a joint investigation by the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jason R. Coody and Former Assistant United States Attorney Harley W. Ferguson.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) 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 http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Federal Charges Filed Against Man for Attempted Sex Trafficking of a Minor in PensacolaRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Christopher W. Glover, 47, of Simms, Alabama, has been indicted in federal court on charges of Attempted Sex Trafficking of a Minor, 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.
At a detention hearing in federal court in Pensacola, evidence was presented that Glover communicated with who he believed to be a 14-year-old female and offered to pay her hundreds of dollars in return for sexual acts. It is alleged that Glover then traveled from Alabama, where he worked for the Baldwin County School District, to Pensacola to meet with the minor. The purported minor, however, was an undercover law enforcement officer. When Glover reached Pensacola to engage in the sexual acts with the minor, he was taken into custody. Glover remains detained in the custody of the United States Marshals Service pending trial.
Glover is scheduled for trial before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida, on February 17, 2026.
If convicted, Glover faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years’ up to life imprisonment to be followed by supervised release and registration as a sexual offender.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, U.S. Immigration and Customs 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 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 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 http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Thirty-Four Illegal Aliens Convicted of Immigration, False Document OffensesRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, PENSACOLA, & TALLAHASSEE – United States Attorney John P. Heekin announced today that thirty-four illegal aliens were recently convicted of federal crimes, including thirty-one previously deported aliens convicted for illegal reentry into the United States. One of those previously deported illegal aliens was also convicted of false document crimes.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “We are a nation of laws, and my office is firmly committed to enforcing those laws by aggressively prosecuting violations. The Department of Justice’s Operation Take Back America delivers on the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi that we will not tolerate those who violate our nation’s laws, and we will deploy the full resources of the federal government to keep our borders secure and our communities safe.”
According to court records, thirty-one defendants 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 since September 2025 include:
- Jose Victor Aguilar Zelaya, a Mexican national, who was previously removed in July 2010. He was encountered in Okaloosa County on March 5, 2025.
- Elin Itay Martinez-Lemus a/k/a Carlos Mauricio Arita-Lemus, a citizen of Honduras, who was previously removed in December 2011 and August 2012. He was encountered in Escambia County on March 15, 2025.
- Joel Nahum Sanchez Montoya, a citizen of Honduras, who was previously removed in October 2006. He was encountered in Santa Rosa County on May 6, 2025.
- Omar Jimenez-Salinas, a Mexican national, who was previously removed in June 2014. He was encountered in Escambia County on May 29, 2025.
- Narciso Oswaldo Moreno-Zepeda, a citizen of Honduras, who was previously removed in June 2014. He was encountered in Escambia County on June 26, 2025.
- Eusebio Lizardi-Bautista, a Mexican national, who was previously removed in February 2014. He was encountered in Escambia County on July 7, 2025.
- Ivan Reyes-Andrade, a Mexican national, who was previously removed in August 2011 and April 2015. He was encountered in Santa Rosa County on August 1, 2025.
- Orlando Raudales-Banegas, a citizen of Honduras, who was previously removed in August 2010. He was encountered in Okaloosa County in August of 2025.
- Salvador Rodriguez-Rojas, a Mexican national, who was previously removed in October 2015 and November 2016. He was encountered in Escambia County on August 23, 2025.
- Denis Arnaldo Mendoz-Martinez, a citizen of Honduras, who was previously removed in April 2012, February 2016, December 2018, and October 2019. He was encountered in Santa Rosa County on September 2, 2025.
- Marin Mendez Vasquez, a Mexican national, who was previously removed in September 2007, November 2008, and July 2010. He was encountered in Alachua County on September 5, 2025.
- Pedro Lopez Calderon, a Mexican national, who was previously removed in January 2010, March 2017, and March 2018 and November 2016. He was encountered in Okaloosa County on September 16, 2025.
- Darwin Noe Ramirez-Guillen, a citizen of Honduras, who was previously removed in October 2014. He was encountered in Santa Rosa County on September 23, 2025.
- Jonathan Callejas-Callejas, a Mexican national, who was previously removed in July 2018. He was encountered in Escambia County on September 25, 2025.
- Jose Bernardino Varillas-Morales, a Mexican national, who was previously removed in December 2019 and January 2020. He was encountered in Santa Rosa County on September 26, 2025.
- Mateo Linares-Aparicio, a Mexican national, who was previously removed in September 2014. He was encountered in Santa Rosa County on September 29, 2025.
- Selvin Ramos Vasquez, a citizen of Honduras, who was previously removed in April 2015 and July 2015. He was encountered in Santa Rosa County on October 3, 2025.
- Jose Gilberto Vasquez Martinez, a Mexican national, who was previously removed in December 2010, November 2011, and February 2024. He was encountered in Leon County on October 8, 2025.
- Agustin Bello Rodriguez, a Mexican national, who was previously removed in April 2021. He was encountered in Santa Rosa County on October 8, 2025.
- Marvin Arenas-Beltran, a Mexican national, who was previously removed in February 2017. He was encountered in Leon County on October 9, 2025.
- Bulfrano Tamayo-Rodriguez, a Mexican national, who was previously removed in August 2006 and April 2015. He was encountered in Leon County on October 9, 2025.
- German Aleman, a citizen of El Salvador, who was previously removed in September 2009, August 2011, and January 2013. He was encountered in Leon County on October 9, 2025.
- Jose Del Carmen Perez-Gomez, a Mexican national, who was previously removed in May 2022. He was encountered in Escambia County on October 14, 2025.
- Eduardo Ramirez-Francisco, a Mexican national, who was previously removed in March 2019. He was encountered in Okaloosa County on October 16, 2025.
- Edin Francisco Trinidad-Moradel, a citizen of Honduras, who was previously removed in February 2019. He was encountered in Santa Rosa County on October 16, 2025.
- Yunior Johel Vasquez-Garcia, a citizen of Honduras, who was previously removed in January 2016. He was encountered in Santa Rosa County on October 25, 2025.
- Alberto Reyes-Monroy, a Mexican national, who was previously removed in October 2016. He was encountered in Bay County on October 29, 2025.
- Jose Alvarado Lopez, a Mexican national, who was previously removed in June and August 2019. He was encountered in Bay County on October 29, 2025.
- Basilio Coxcahua-Arohua, a Mexican national, who was previously removed in January 2015 and twice in March 2018. He was encountered in Okaloosa County on October 29, 2025.
- Roberto Rios-Narvaez, a Mexican national, who was previously removed in December 2010. He was encountered in Santa Rosa County on November 6, 2025.
Four aliens were also convicted of false document crimes. They included:
- Celso Javier Melgar, a citizen of Panama.
- Luis Maldonado, a citizen of Guatemala.
- Gustavo Adolfo Ramirez-Guillen, a citizen of Honduras.
- Flavio Bernardo-Padilla, a Mexican national. Bernardo-Padilla was also convicted of illegal reentry based on his unlawful return after his prior removal in November 2018.
“The enforcement of our nation’s immigration laws is essential to maintaining the integrity of our borders and the rule of law,” said ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations acting Field Office Director Kelei Walker. “Illegal aliens can take control of their departure with the CBP Home App. The United States is offering illegal aliens $1,000 and a free flight to self-deport now. We encourage every person here illegally to take advantage of this offer and reserve the chance to come back to the U.S. the right, legal way to live the American dream. If not, you will be arrested and deported without a chance to return.”
“Bringing to justice those who not only reenter the United States illegally after they have been previously deported, but also commit document fraud, is critical to protecting the integrity of our nation’s legal and financial systems,” said Homeland Security Investigations Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno. “The enforcement of our nation’s immigration laws relies on thorough investigation and strong partnerships, and these convictions demonstrate our commitment to holding accountable those who take their violations to the next level by attempting to deceive authorities with false documents.”
The cases were investigated by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations, with assistance from several state and local partners. Assistant United States Attorneys Brooke A. DiSalvo, Jessica S. Etherton, Alicia H. Forbes, Adam Hapner, Eric Mountin, Walter Narramore, Christopher C. Patterson, Joseph Ravelo, Jeffrey M. Tharp, and Former Assistant United States Attorneys Harley W. Ferguson and Jenna H. Callahan prosecuted the cases.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Eleven Indictments Returned in December for Previously Deported Illegal Aliens Identified in Recent Immigration Enforcement ActionsRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA and TALLAHASSEE – Today, United States Attorney John P. Heekin announced that 11 previously deported illegal aliens have been indicted separately by a federal grand jury for illegal reentry into the United States.
Juan Ramos Salgado, 49, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Santa Rosa County in November 2025, after previously being deported in 2012. Trial is set for February 2, 2026, before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
Edgar Castaneda-Herrera, 45, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Santa Rosa County in November 2025, after previously being deported twice in 2006 and 2008. Plea and sentencing are set for January 14, 2026, before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
Erlin Adonay Hernandez-Navas, 37, of Honduras, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Escambia County in November 2025, after previously being deported three times in 2008, 2009 and 2014.
Carlos Sanchez-Mendez, 35, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Okaloosa County in November 2025, after previously being deported three times in 2010, 2014 and 2016. Plea and sentencing are set for January 14, 2026, before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
Allan Josue Sanchez-Lozano, 28, of Honduras, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Escambia County in November 2025, after previously being deported in 2016. Trial is set for February 17, 2026, before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
Leobardo Gomez-Lopez, 41, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Escambia County in November 2025, after previously being deported twice in 2016 and 2017. Plea and sentencing are set for January 22, 2026, before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
Jose Alberto Orozco-Sanchez, 45, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Okaloosa County in November 2025, after previously being deported twice in 2019. Trial is set for February 2, 2026, before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
Nicolas Jorge-Garcia, 41, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Okaloosa County in November 2025, after previously being deported five times, including in 2007, three times in 2012, and again in 2015. Trial is set for February 2, 2026, before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
Andres Martin Valdivia Moran, 43, of Mexico, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Escambia County in December 2025, after previously being deported twice in 2017 and 2019. Trial is set for February 17, 2026, before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
Carlos H. Solorsano Castellanos, 35, of Honduras, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Santa Rosa County in December 2025, after previously being deported in 2014. Plea and sentencing are set for January 22, 2026, before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
Kevin A. Perez-Portillo, 31, of El Salvador, allegedly reentered the United States illegally and was located in Santa Rosa County in December 2025, after previously being deported in 2017. Trial is set for February 17, 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. Orozco-Sanchez and Valdivia Moran 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.
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 Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Pensacola Police Department, the Valparaiso Police Department, and the Florida Highway Patrol. Assistant United States Attorneys Jessica S. Etherton, Christopher C. Patterson, Walter E. Narramore, Alicia H. Forbes and Brooke DiSalvo are prosecuting the cases.
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.
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 http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Gainesville Man Charged for Possession of a Firearm with a Removed Serial NumberRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Devon Oliver, 18, of Gainesville, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging him with possession of a firearm with a removed serial number. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charge today.
Oliver appeared for his arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Midori A. Lowry on December 23, 2025, in Gainesville, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for January 28, 2026, at 8:30 a.m., before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor.
If convicted, Oliver faces up to five years’ imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Gainesville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner is prosecuting the case.
An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access available public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
Apopka Woman Indicted for Conspiracy to Commit Wire Fraud by Defrauding Elderly Victim by Phone and EmailRead the Press Release
GAINESVILLE, FLORIDA – Xin Liu, 40, of Apopka, Florida, was indicted by a federal grand jury charging her with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charge today.
Liu appeared for her arraignment in federal court before United States Magistrate Judge Midori A. Lowry on December 23, 2025, in Gainesville, Florida. Jury trial is scheduled for January 28, 2026, at 8:30 a.m. before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor.
If convicted, Liu faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment.
The case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Internal Revenue Service – Criminal Investigations and the Gainesville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner 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.
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.
Pensacola Man Pleads Guilty to Possession of MacHinegunsRead the Press Release
PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – Tre’Veonce Ezekiel Sanders, 19, of Pensacola, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a machinegun, possession of an unregistered firearm, and possession with intent to distribute marijuana. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “I applaud and deeply appreciate the vigilance of our federal law enforcement partners who intercepted this dangerous device in the mail and investigated its intended recipient. President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi promised to Take Back America from the offenders intent on committing criminal violence within our communities, and my office will continue to deliver on that promise with successful prosecutions like this.”
Court documents reflect that in August 2025, agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations were notified that a parcel, which contained a machinegun conversion device, was shipped from China and destined for the defendant’s residence in Pensacola, Florida. Law enforcement executed a search warrant at the residence and located a Glock handgun that had been modified to fire as a machinegun, multiple machinegun conversion devices, marijuana, ammunition, and over $6,000 in United States currency.
Sanders faces up to ten years’ imprisonment on each of the firearm charges and up to five years on the narcotics charge.
The case involved a joint investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton.
Sentencing is scheduled for March 10, 2026, at 1:00 pm 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 (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ) 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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
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.