Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
Eddie Lee Shular Jr., a 36-year-old resident of Tallahassee, has pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by 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: “I applaud the excellent work of our local and federal partners to make our community safer by getting this dangerous individual off the streets. My office remains committed to fulfilling the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America by targeting criminals who are endangering our communities with the full force of the law.”
According to court documents, in March 2025, an officer from the Tallahassee Police Department discovered a vehicle parked illegally overnight at Jack McLean Park. The officer detected marijuana odor and observed drug paraphernalia after approaching two occupants inside. A search led to the discovery of a firearm in the glovebox, which subsequent DNA testing linked to Shular.
Shular has 17 previous felony convictions and now faces up to 15 years in prison.
The investigation was conducted by the Tallahassee Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain is prosecuting the case.
Sentencing is set for November 6, 2025, at 11:00 am at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before Judge Mark E. Walker.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), an initiative that brings together resources from across the Department of Justice to address illegal immigration, combat cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and reduce violent crime through coordinated efforts such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
As part of its PSN strategy, authorities urge residents to lock their car doors at night since unlocked vehicles have been identified as a major source of firearms used by criminals in northern Florida.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida serves as one of 94 principal litigating offices nationwide under direction from the Attorney General. More information about public court documents can be found on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website, with additional details about this office available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
