Jeremy Jovan Randolph, 37, of Tallahassee, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to an announcement on July 20 by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Heekin said, “Thanks to the excellent investigative work of the Tallahassee Police Department, this armed, dangerous felon has been taken off our streets. Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, the Department of Justice has renewed its commitment to public safety through Operation Take Back America, and my office will continue to deliver successful prosecutions of dangerous criminals, like this defendant, to ensure our citizens get the safe, crime-free streets they deserve.”
According to court documents, on February 5 detectives from the Tallahassee Police Department’s Traffic Unit noticed a vehicle parked illegally in a handicapped spot at a gas station. Detectives observed Randolph exit the store and enter the vehicle. When approached by detectives who detected an odor of marijuana and confirmed Randolph did not have a medical marijuana card, he was asked to exit his vehicle. As he did so, detectives saw an AR-style pistol with a 60-round magazine on the driver’s side floor where he had been sitting. Randolph is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition due to prior felony convictions.
Randolph faces up to fifteen years’ imprisonment and up to three years supervised release. The case was investigated jointly by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tallahassee Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Eric W. Welch is prosecuting.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 17 at 1:00 p.m., before United States District Judge Mark Walker at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative using resources from across federal agencies aimed at repelling illegal immigration activity and targeting violent crime associated with cartels and transnational criminal organizations.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida covers 23 counties including Tallahassee and collaborates with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies through initiatives such as Project Safe Childhood; it operates from facilities in courthouses located in Tallahassee, Pensacola and Gainesville; enforces federal laws; defends national security; protects civil rights; secures public funds; advances community safety; upholds rule of law; protects civil rights across northern Florida; serves as one among 94 offices under direction from the Attorney General within the United States Department of Justice, according to information provided by its official website.