Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
Vinson Tavaris Brown, a 33-year-old resident of Homestead, Florida, has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and illegal possession of a machinegun. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “Thanks to the vigilance of our local and federal law enforcement officers, this dangerous felon has been taken off our streets. Protecting our communities from criminals who show a complete disregard for the law remains my office’s top priority, and this successful prosecution is yet another step toward fulfilling the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America from the dangerous felons who prowl our streets.”
According to court documents, Brown was a passenger in a vehicle stopped by Tallahassee Police after an illegal U-turn near Zingales Sports Bar. While three occupants complied with officers’ instructions, Brown attempted to reach under his seat before fleeing on foot. Officers apprehended him and found a firearm fitted with a machinegun conversion device and an extended magazine under the seat he had tried to access.
Brown could face up to 25 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 December 18, 2025 at 2:00 pm at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before Judge Mark E. Walker.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America, an initiative that brings together resources from the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration, eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protecting communities from violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida also reminds residents to lock their car doors—especially at night—as thefts from unlocked vehicles remain a significant source of firearms used by criminals in the region.
The office is one of 94 across the country serving as principal litigators under direction of the Attorney General. Additional information about public court documents can be found at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
