Antoine Booker, Jr., a 21-year-old from Pensacola, Florida, has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for drug trafficking and possessing a loaded machinegun. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
“The public should rest assured that law enforcement will not stand for armed drug traffickers endangering citizens in our streets. If you possess a machinegun to protect your drug trafficking operations, you should know that federal prison awaits you,” stated United States Attorney Heekin.
According to court documents, on December 6, 2023, Booker attempted to evade the Florida Highway Patrol during a traffic stop in Pensacola. Driving at high speeds and throwing drugs out of his vehicle window, he eventually crashed on Pensacola Boulevard after hitting a curb. Law enforcement found him with a Glock 9 millimeter pistol modified into an automatic firing machinegun containing 32 rounds of ammunition. A large quantity of marijuana and digital scales were also discovered.
“Had it not been for law enforcement’s training and determination, this armed suspect would have undoubtedly wreaked havoc in Northwest Florida,” said ATF Tampa Field Division’s Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. “We are proud of the partnerships we’ve built with Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and our federal prosecutors.”
The case was investigated by multiple agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Florida Highway Patrol; the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office; and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Jessica S. Etherton.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America which aims to eliminate illegal immigration and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators.
For further details or access to public court documents online visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website or learn more about the United States Attorney’s Office at their official site.
