TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A Tallahassee man has pleaded guilty in federal court in connection with an armed robbery at a local convenience store in which a masked gunman fired a shot into the floor, according to court records.
Laquinton Harris, 36, of Tallahassee, pleaded guilty to Hobbs Act Robbery, brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, the United States attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
“This case exemplifies the outstanding investigative work performed by our state and federal law enforcement partners, who swiftly identified and caught this defendant despite his efforts to conceal his identity during his violent crime. This successful prosecution delivers a clear message: the safety of our community is not negotiable, and my office will aggressively prosecute these cases to keep violent offenders, like this defendant, off our streets and behind bars where they belong,” Heekin said.
Court records said the robbery happened Jan. 30, 2026, at the Z Mart convenience store at 4015 Fred George Road. Investigators said a masked gunman robbed the store and discharged a firearm into the floor.
During the investigation, Leon County Sheriff’s Office deputies found what appeared to be a bullet strike on the wooden flooring and a spent .22-caliber shell casing, records said. On April 2, 2026, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives executed a federal search warrant at Harris’ residence and found a .22-caliber rifle. Ballistic testing showed the rifle matched the shell casing found at the Z Mart, according to court records.
Investigators also found distinctive clothing that matched what the robber wore, including ripped pants and gloves, records said. Harris’ DNA was found on both the pants and gloves recovered during the search warrant, according to court records.
Harris faces a mandatory minimum of seven years in prison that must be consecutive to his sentence for the robbery, and a maximum of up to life imprisonment, up to five years of supervised release, and up to a $750,000 fine.
The case was investigated by ATF and the Leon County Sheriff’s Office, with assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney James A. McCain.
Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 19, 2026, at 2 p.m. in the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before Chief U.S. District Judge Allen C. Winsor.
Federal officials said the case is part of Operation Take Back America and Project Safe Neighborhoods, initiatives aimed at combating violent crime through coordinated efforts among federal, state, local and tribal law enforcement and prosecutors.