Pensacola Felon Indicted on Narcotics and Gun Charges

Pensacola, Florida - James Darnell Shoemo, Jr., 30, of Pensacola, Florida, has been indicted in federal court on one count of possession with intent to distribute marijuana, one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon, and one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the charges.

Shoemo appeared before United States Magistrate Judge Charles A. Stampelos for his initial appearance at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola, Florida. Trial is scheduled for September 8, 2026, at 8:30 am in Pensacola before District Court Judge M. Casey Rodgers.

If convicted, Shoemo, Jr. faces up to 30 years' imprisonment on the possession with intent to distribute marijuana count; up to 15 years' imprisonment on the possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon count; and a minimum mandatory 5 years' imprisonment, and up to life imprisonment, consecutive to any other sentence on the possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Escambia County Sheriff's Office. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton.

An indictment is merely an allegation by a grand jury that a defendant has committed a violation of federal criminal law and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and entitled to a fair trial, during which it will be the government's burden to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

This 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.

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.