Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida
James Wiley Kelley, Jr., a 51-year-old resident of Altha, Florida, has pleaded guilty to several federal firearm offenses, including possession of an unregistered National Firearms Act weapon, possession of a machine gun, and being a convicted felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “This case demonstrates the unified commitment of our state and federal law enforcement officers to use the full force of the law to keep our communities safe. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute offenders, like this defendant, to the fullest extent as a warning to criminals that violating our nation’s laws in the Northern District of Florida is a one-way ticket to federal prison.”
According to court documents, United States Customs Border Protection Agents discovered a suspicious parcel with a fictitious name addressed to Altha during an inspection of packages from China. Inside the package labeled “In-Car Vent Mount,” agents found smartphone vent mounts and three silver metal parts that constituted a machine gun conversion device (MCD). After conducting a controlled delivery of the MCD, authorities executed a search warrant at Kelley’s residence. They seized multiple pistols, rifles, shotguns, various calibers of ammunition, and methamphetamine. Investigators also determined that Kelley had accepted firearms as payment for methamphetamine.
Kelley is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to prior felony convictions for fleeing or attempting to elude police and possession of a controlled substance.
The investigation was conducted jointly by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Jason R. Coody is handling prosecution.
Sentencing is scheduled for February 5, 2026 at 11:00 am before United States District Court Judge Mark E. Walker in Tallahassee.
Kelley faces up to 10 years in prison each for possession of an unregistered National Firearms Act weapon and possession of a machine gun. He could receive up to fifteen years for being a felon in possession of firearms or ammunition. Additional penalties include three years supervised release and fines up to $250,000.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—an initiative led by the Department of Justice aimed at combating illegal immigration and dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations while addressing violent crime nationwide.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is among 94 offices serving as principal litigators under direction from the Attorney General. Further information about public court documents can be found on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website (https://www.flnd.uscourts.gov/), while more details about the U.S. Attorney’s Office are available at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
