PENSACOLA MAN SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON FOR DISTRIBUTING DRUGS AND ILLEGALLY POSSESSING FIREARMS

PENSACOLA, FLORIDA - Carlton D. Shoemaker, 51, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to 106 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to two counts of distribution of methamphetamine and cocaine, one count of possession with intent to distribute cocaine and marijuana, one count of possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, and one count of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: "This substantial prison sentence sends a strong message that my office will aggressively prosecute and seek maximum punishment for anyone who floods our streets with poisonous drugs and threatens the safety of our community. Through Operation Take Back America, President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi made a promise to the American people that we will deploy the full power of the law to take back our streets from the drug traffickers and violent criminals who have plagued our communities for too long, and this successful prosecution delivers on that promise."

According to court records, the defendant worked as a security guard at the Venus Relax Inn in Pensacola, Florida. He also lived in one of the motel rooms. After developing evidence that the defendant was selling cocaine and methamphetamine from the motel, law enforcement executed a search warrant at Shoemaker's motel room in June of 2025. Officers located cocaine, marijuana, and two firearms in the room. The defendant has multiple prior felony convictions for charges including burglary, grand theft, grand theft of a firearm, possession of a short-barreled rifle, and possession of cocaine.

The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christopher C. Patterson.

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 Florida website. For more information about the United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.