Marcellous Likely-McWilliams III, 27, of Pensacola, Florida, pleaded guilty on July 17 to federal charges including possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said, “I am proud of the many successful prosecutions that my office has delivered under Operation Take Back America, as the Department of Justice devotes its full might toward removing violent, drug trafficking offenders, like this defendant, from our communities. The citizens of the Northern District of Florida deserve safe, drug-free streets, and that is exactly what my office will deliver with continued aggressive prosecutions to back up the excellent work of our state and federal law enforcement partners on the front lines in the fight against crime.”
According to court documents, Likely-McWilliams was arrested on February 4 while wearing a backpack containing a Glock 9-millimeter pistol with an additional 50-round drum magazine loaded with live ammunition. The backpack also contained nearly 70 grams of marijuana, a digital scale, and identification documents. During his arrest he resisted officers; one deputy required medical treatment as a result. After being placed in custody inside a patrol vehicle, he managed to slip his handcuffs to the front and later kicked another deputy while attempting escape.
The defendant faces up to 20 years’ imprisonment for possession with intent to distribute marijuana; between five years’ mandatory minimum and life imprisonment for possessing a firearm during drug trafficking; and up to 15 years for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. Sentencing is scheduled for October 14 at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before Judge M. Casey Rodgers.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Brooke A. Lindsay is prosecuting.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida serves as one of ninety-four offices nationwide within the Department of Justice structure responsible for enforcing federal laws across twenty-three counties including Tallahassee and parts of northern Florida’s Panhandle region through courthouses located in Tallahassee, Pensacola and Gainesville; it advances community safety through collaboration with law enforcement agencies via initiatives such as Project Safe Childhood, according to the official website.