Bahamian National Pleads Guilty to Illegal Firearm Possession

MIAMI - A Bahamian national who was unlawfully present in the U.S. and wanted for murder in the Bahamas pleaded guilty in federal court on Friday to possessing a firearm as an illegal alien.

According to court records, Shelton Thompson, 38, of the Bahamas, has been unlawfully present in the U.S. since August 2024. During a traffic stop, law enforcement encountered Thompson and determined that he was illegally present in the U.S. after initiating a traffic stop. A subsequent search of his residence uncovered a firearm that Thompson was prohibited from possessing under federal law.

"South Florida's proximity to international borders makes vigorous enforcement of immigration and firearms laws essential to public safety," said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. "Individuals who enter or remain in this country unlawfully and illegally possess firearms will be investigated and prosecuted. We will continue to use every lawful tool available to protect our communities from dangerous offenders."

Thompson faces up to 15 years in federal prison. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones and Special Agent in Charge Brett Skiles of the FBI, Miami Field Office, made the announcement.

FBI Miami is investigating the case, with assistance from U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Coast Guard.

Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Pierce is prosecuting the case.

This case is being prosecuted by the Border and Immigration Crimes Enforcement (BICE) Section. BICE was created by U.S. Attorney Reding Quiñones in November of 2025 to strengthen South Florida's border security posture, protect maritime and land points of entry, enforce federal immigration law, and dismantle transnational smuggling networks operating through the region. The Section brings together narcotics, immigration, fraud, and violent-crime expertise into a single coordinated unit focused on border-driven threats.

Related court documents and information may be found on the website of the District Court for the Southern District of Florida at www.flsd.uscourts.govLinks 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. or at http://pacer.flsd.uscourts.govLinks 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., under case number 26-cr-20087.

###