Tallahassee Felon Pleads Guilty to Federal Firearm Offense

Tallahassee, Florida - Etavious J. Milton, 27, of Tallahassee, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: "The Tallahassee Police Department deserves particular recognition for taking this dangerous criminal off our streets, and thanks to the successful prosecution by my office we will ensure he remains behind federal bars as long as possible. Our citizens deserve to live in safe, crime-free neighborhoods, and my office will deliver on that promise by incapacitating the dangerous criminals who have preyed upon our communities for far too long."

Court documents reflect that at approximately 3:00 a.m. on January 17, 2026, the defendant attempted to flee from law enforcement after committing a traffic violation. The defendant crashed the vehicle he was driving, after narrowly avoiding hitting another vehicle. While waiting for an ambulance, officers stabilized the defendant and observed a black Beretta 9mm caliber pistol near his waist. The officers secured the firearm, and the defendant was then taken to the hospital after emergency medical personnel arrived on scene. As a previously convicted felon, the defendant was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Milton faces up to 15 years imprisonment.

The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Tallahassee Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Eric Welch is prosecuting the case.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 22, 2027 at 11:00 a.m. at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before United States District Judge Mark Walker.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice's nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys' offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department's commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump's Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.

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 available 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.