Nathan Taylor Porter, 21, of Tallahassee, Florida, has been indicted in federal court for two counts of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, according to a June 12 announcement from John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Porter appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee for his arraignment. A change of plea hearing is scheduled for June 15 at 11:00 am before Chief District Court Judge Allen C. Winsor in Tallahassee.
If convicted on both counts, Porter faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment per count. The case is being investigated by Homeland Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Tallahassee Police Department, and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Joseph A. Ravelo is prosecuting the case.
The indictment is described as an allegation by a grand jury that does not constitute evidence of guilt; all defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, where it will be the government’s burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America, which aims to address illegal immigration and violent crime through coordinated efforts by the Department of Justice.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida covers 23 counties including Tallahassee and operates from courthouses in Tallahassee, Pensacola and Gainesville; it advances community safety by upholding federal law with collaboration across agencies such as Project Safe Childhood and enforces civil rights protections throughout northern Florida, according to the official website.