Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
Austin James McCastler II, a 36-year-old Pensacola resident, was found guilty by a federal jury on multiple charges including drug distribution, firearm offenses, and assaulting a Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Special Agent. The verdict was announced by John Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
According to prosecutors, undercover law enforcement officers purchased methamphetamine from McCastler’s home on two occasions. Authorities then obtained a search warrant for his residence. On March 7, 2025, when law enforcement attempted to execute the warrant, McCastler refused to surrender and armed himself with an American Tactical Imports assault rifle. As officers surrounded the house, he fired shots at them, including one directed at a DEA Special Agent.
After opening fire, McCastler fled in his vehicle leading to a high-speed chase involving the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. His vehicle was eventually stopped in traffic and he attempted to escape on foot before being apprehended. A subsequent search of his home uncovered two firearms—including the loaded assault rifle—dozens of rounds of ammunition, fentanyl, marijuana, and other items.
McCastler has more than five prior state felony convictions and is scheduled for sentencing on February 10, 2026 before United States District Judge M. Casey Rodgers. He faces up to life imprisonment.
“This case exemplified the extreme dangers faced by the brave men and women of law enforcement who put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe from violent criminals. I am incredibly proud of the outstanding trial work by the talented prosecutors in my office that resulted in this successful verdict,” said U.S. Attorney John Heekin.
The investigation involved several agencies: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Drug Enforcement Administration; Florida Department of Law Enforcement; Escambia County Sheriff’s Office; Pensacola Police Department; and Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Jessica S. Etherton prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), which coordinates resources across federal initiatives such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) to address illegal immigration issues and combat violent crime perpetrated by cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida serves as one of 94 offices representing federal interests under direction from the Attorney General. Public court documents are available through the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. More information about this office can be found at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
