Bristol Man Sentenced for Attempted Murders of ATF Agents

Tallahassee, Florida - John Caleb Allen, 26, of Bristol, Florida, was sentenced to 30 years in federal prison for two counts of attempted murder of a federal agent; two counts of forcibly assaulting a federal officer with a deadly weapon; two counts of discharging a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence; two counts of transfer of a machinegun; possession of an unregistered or unmarked silencer; and making a false statement to a federal firearm licensee. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: "The case exemplifies the incredible danger our brave men and women in law enforcement face as they keep our communities safe from violent offenders like this defendant. The bravery of these ATF agents is matched only by the incredible professionalism with which they acted when they came under withering fire from the defendant. As the substantial sentence imposed on this defendant shows, attacks on law enforcement will be prosecuted by my office to the fullest extent of the law."

Evidence at trial demonstrated that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) had been investigating the defendant for the illegal sale of machine gun conversion devices (MCDs). On June 3, 2025, ATF used a confidential source to purchase a firearm and a MCD from the defendant. One June 23, 2025, ATF used a confidential source to purchase 13 MCDs and two firearms from the defendant. Officers watched the defendant pick up the two firearms he sold to the confidential source from a federal firearms licensee (FFL), where he lied on ATF Form 4473. Based on their investigation, ATF obtained a federal search warrant for the defendant's house.

While attempting to execute the search warrant, the defendant fired at the ATF agents approximately 14 times as they approached his front door. One of the officers had a bullet pass through his shirtsleeve and another officer was struck by a bullet in his body armor, but neither was seriously injured. Without returning fire, agents were able to get the defendant to peacefully exit the residence with his hands up several minutes later.

Agents located numerous firearms, including an unregistered firearm silencer, during the residential search.

"This investigation revealed extreme criminal behavior deserving of a steep penalty," said ATF Tampa Field Division's Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. "Florida residents are much safer with violent criminals like this individual in federal prison."

Liberty County Sheriff Dusty Arnold said: "This sentence sends a clear message that violence against law enforcement officers will not be tolerated. Every day, law enforcement officers at the local, state, and federal levels put their lives on the line to protect our communities. In this case, ATF agents came under gunfire while simply carrying out their sworn duties, yet they responded with incredible professionalism, restraint, and courage.

I am grateful that no officers lost their lives during this incident and commend the ATF, DEA, and all agencies involved for their outstanding work throughout this investigation. The Liberty County Sheriff's Office was proud to assist in this case, and we remain committed to standing alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure violent offenders are held accountable for their actions."

The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and the Drug Enforcement Administration, with assistance from the Liberty County Sheriff's Office. Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain prosecuted the case.

"The men and women in law enforcement serve daily to protect our communities, state, and nation. Attacks on law enforcement officers, like the one committed in this case, will not be tolerated." said FDLE Commissioner Mark Glass "The safety of our law enforcement brothers and sisters is essential to our families, communities, visitors, and the great state of Florida."

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.