Lee Manuel Colson, a 45-year-old resident of Tallahassee, Florida, has been found guilty by a federal jury for illegally possessing firearms as a convicted felon. This verdict was made public by John P. Heekin, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated, “Our community is safer now that we are returning this repeat felon back behind bars where he belongs. My office is fully committed to fulfill the promise of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America by targeting and aggressively prosecuting the criminals victimizing our communities. Thanks to the tenacious prosecutors in my office and the hard work of our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, this dangerous felon will be removed from our streets.”
The trial revealed that on July 11, 2024, during a search conducted by the United States Probation Office at Colson’s residence, two pistols were discovered in his bedroom drawer. Colson acknowledged to officers that these firearms were present. His criminal history includes 22 prior felony convictions with past federal offenses related to drug trafficking and firearms, for which he served 90 months in prison.
Colson may face up to 17 years in prison at sentencing along with an additional supervised release term.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the United States Probation Office, the United States Marshals Service, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistance was also provided by the Leon County Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution was handled by Assistant United States Attorneys Joseph A. Ravelo and James A. McCain.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 10, 2025, at 10:00 am at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before Judge Mark E. Walker.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), a nationwide initiative aimed at countering illegal immigration and eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one among 94 offices acting as principal litigators under the Attorney General’s direction. For access to public court documents online or more information about their office activities visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
