Marlow Levell Allen, a 46-year-old resident of Panama City, Florida, has pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
“Thanks to the excellent investigative work of the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and our federal law enforcement partners, this repeat offender has been stopped from continuing to flood our streets with deadly drugs. My office will stand shoulder to shoulder with law enforcement in the fight to keep our communities safe and healthy, and we will achieve that goal by continuing to aggressively prosecute offenders like this defendant,” said U.S. Attorney Heekin.
According to court documents, in June 2022 law enforcement officers executed search warrants at multiple residences linked to Allen as part of an ongoing drug investigation in Panama City. During these searches, authorities found crack cocaine, powder cocaine, marijuana, two firearms, and other items associated with drug distribution. Allen is a convicted felon with prior convictions for offenses such as possession with intent to deliver cocaine, sale of cocaine, unlawful firearms possession, unlawful discharge of a firearm, and tampering with a witness.
Allen could face up to twenty years in prison. Sentencing is scheduled for December 4, 2025 at 11:00 am at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before United States District Judge Mark Walker.
The case resulted from a joint investigation conducted by the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Eric K. Mountin is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), which is a nationwide initiative led by the Department of Justice aiming to combat illegal immigration and eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime. The operation coordinates resources from programs such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The United States Attorney’s Office also reminds residents in the Northern District of Florida about car burglaries being a significant source of guns for criminals and encourages everyone to lock their vehicles at night as part of its PSN strategy.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida serves as one of 94 offices across the country under direction from the Attorney General. Additional information can be found on their website: http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
