Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
Louis Terrell Jones, a 42-year-old resident of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, has been sentenced to twelve and a half years in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and for possession of a machine gun. 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 outstanding investigative work by our state law enforcement partner, with support from the ATF, this violent felon has been taken off our streets. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute these crimes to keep our communities safe.”
The case stems from an incident in November 2024 when an Escambia County Sheriff’s Office deputy stopped Jones during a traffic stop. A search of his vehicle led to the discovery of a Glock 9 millimeter pistol fitted with a machine gun conversion device. Jones was prohibited from owning firearms due to prior felony convictions, including aggravated assault by threat with a firearm.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Tharp prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America, which is an initiative by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration, dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one among 94 offices that serve as principal litigators under direction from the Attorney General. More information about court documents can be found on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website or at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
