Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
Ralphael Roy Caldwell, a 35-year-old resident of Pensacola, has been sentenced to 42 months in federal prison after being convicted by a jury for possession of a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “Fulfilling the promise of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America from violent criminals requires close collaboration between our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, like we saw in this case. I am very appreciative of the outstanding work of the Pensacola Police Department and the ATF to get this criminal off our streets, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute these cases to keep our communities safe from violent criminals.”
According to evidence presented at trial, Caldwell was found with a loaded pistol in his waistband during a traffic stop on September 10, 2024. He admitted ownership of the firearm to officers at that time. Caldwell had prior felony convictions including principal to attempted home invasion robbery with a firearm and shooting into a building.
The investigation leading up to Caldwell’s conviction was conducted jointly by the Pensacola Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Alicia Forbes prosecuted the case.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline ), an initiative led by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration, dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and reducing violent crime through coordinated efforts involving programs such as OCDETFs and Project Safe Neighborhood.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is among 94 offices serving as principal litigators under guidance from the Attorney General. More information about court documents can be accessed via the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website or through http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
