Life Sentence in Pensacola Federal Murder Case

Pensacola, Florida - Charles Carson-Dowdy, 31, of Mobile, Alabama, was sentenced in federal court to life imprisonment for cyberstalking, interstate domestic violence, murder through use of a firearm, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in relation to the death of Starmichael L. Tucker in Pensacola in early 2025. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: "My heart goes out to the victim's family members and friends, who were robbed of Ms. Tucker's presence in their lives by the depraved actions of this violent thug. We cannot lessen the profound sadness caused by Ms. Tucker's murder, but thanks to this aggressive prosecution by my office that secured a life sentence for Carson-Dowdy's heinous crimes, we can guarantee that this criminal will spend the rest of his pathetic life locked behind bars where he belongs."

Court documents reveal that Carson-Dowdy, who resided in Mobile, Alabama, and the victim, Ms. Tucker, who resided in Pensacola, Florida, began dating in or about October 2024. During the dating relationship, Carson-Dowdy used cellular telephones, the internet, and a ridesharing business to engage in a course of conduct with the intent to harass and intimidate the victim. At the end of December 2024, Ms. Tucker flew to California to visit family for the holidays. During her trip, Ms. Tucker and Carson-Dowdy had an escalating series of arguments via text message.

On January 1, 2025, as Ms. Tucker traveled back to Florida from California, she and Carson- Dowdy had a conversation via text message during which the victim attempted to end the relationship with Carson-Dowdy. In response, Carson-Dowdy hailed a ride via the Uber ridesharing service to travel from his residence in Mobile, Alabama, to the victim's residence in Pensacola, Florida, to confront her about their relationship. Despite being a convicted felon prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition, Carson-Dowdy brought a Taurus handgun and an extra loaded magazine with him as he traveled from Alabama to Florida.

Upon his arrival in Pensacola, Carson-Dowdy entered Ms. Tucker's home without her permission. She returned home to discover Carson-Dowdy waiting for her in the apartment. At approximately 8:00 p.m. on January 2, 2025, Ms. Tucker left her apartment, but Carson-Dowdy followed her outside and shot her in the back with his Taurus handgun, causing her to collapse in the parking lot. Carson-Dowdy then walked over to where Ms. Tucker was lying wounded on the ground and shot her approximately ten more times at close range. Carson-Dowdy then entered the victim's vehicle parked nearby, and deliberately drove the car over Ms. Tucker's body. He then reversed the car to drive over her body again, and then drove forward running over the victim's body a third time. Carson-Dowdy then fled from the apartment complex in the victim's vehicle. Ms. Tucker died from the injuries inflicted by Carson-Dowdy.

Carson-Dowdy was ultimately located by law enforcement in the victim's vehicle in Spanish Fort, Alabama. He was taken into custody, and the Taurus handgun used to murder the victim was found inside the car.

"This defendant's actions took an innocent life and devastated a family," said ATF Tampa Field Division's Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. "Today's sentence holds him accountable and hopefully, helps the victim's family take one step toward closure."

The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Escambia County Sheriff's Office, the State Attorney's Office, and the Spanish Fort Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Jordane New.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of FloridaLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. website. For more information about the United States Attorney's Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.