Todd James Mitchell, 54, of Crawfordville, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and possession of an unregistered firearm silencer, according to a July 27 announcement from United States Attorney John P. Heekin for the Northern District of Florida.
Mitchell appeared in federal court for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee. A jury trial is scheduled for September 8 at 8:30 a.m. before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor in Tallahassee.
If convicted, Mitchell faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon and up to 10 years’ imprisonment for possession of an unregistered firearm silencer. The case was investigated by the Wakulla County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain is prosecuting the case.
The indictment is described as “merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt.” The statement continues, “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, described as “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 serves as one among 94 offices under direction from the Attorney General; it covers 23 counties including Tallahassee and collaborates with various law enforcement agencies through initiatives such as Project Safe Childhood, according to the official website.