Tallahassee man pleads guilty in federal court to firearm possession by convicted felon

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A Tallahassee man could face up to 15 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to illegally possessing a firearm, according to federal prosecutors.

Jeremy Jovan Randolph, 37, of Tallahassee, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“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,” Heekin said.

Court documents say Tallahassee Police Department detectives assigned to the Traffic Unit noticed a vehicle parked illegally in a handicapped spot in a gas station parking lot on Feb. 5, 2026. Detectives saw Randolph exit the store and get into the vehicle, then approached and smelled marijuana coming from inside, according to court records. Detectives confirmed Randolph did not have a medical marijuana card and asked him to get out of the vehicle.

As Randolph exited, detectives saw an AR-style pistol on the driver’s side floor where he had been sitting, court documents say. The pistol was equipped with a 60-round magazine. Prosecutors said Randolph was a previously convicted felon and was legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Randolph faces up to 15 years in prison and up to three years of supervised release.

The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Tallahassee Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Eric W. Welch is prosecuting the case.

Sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 17, 2026, at 1 p.m. at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before U.S. District Judge Mark Walker.

Federal prosecutors said the case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that “marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.”