David Alan Miles, a 31-year-old resident of Perry, Florida, has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “Our brave state and federal law enforcement partners deserve recognition and gratitude for their tireless commitment to keeping serial offenders like this defendant off our streets. My office will continue to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our law enforcement partners to aggressively prosecute these crimes in fulfillment of the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America from the violent criminals who have victimized our communities for far too long.”
According to court records, Miles was arrested on February 7, 2025, after fleeing from law enforcement during a high-speed chase and later attempting to evade officers on foot. He then claimed he had been carjacked. A canine team from Taylor Correctional Institution assisted in tracking the supposed carjacker, which led authorities to Miles’ mother’s residence. Miles admitted that he fled because he had a rifle in his vehicle and knew he was prohibited from possessing firearms due to his status as a convicted felon. He has seven prior felony convictions and previously served time in federal prison for possession of an unregistered short-barreled shotgun and selling a firearm to another convicted felon.
After serving his sentence, Miles will be subject to two years of supervised release.
Taylor County Sheriff Wayne Padgett commented: “This case is a perfect example of how reckless decisions and poor choices have real consequences. If you play stupid games, you win stupid prizes. Thanks to the quick action of our investigator and the teamwork between local and federal law enforcement, along with our DOC K-9 partners, a convicted felon with a firearm was safely apprehended and is now facing the consequences of his actions.”
The investigation involved cooperation among the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), Perry Police Department, and Florida Department of Corrections. Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a national initiative aimed at using Department of Justice resources against illegal immigration, criminal organizations such as cartels and transnational groups, and violent crime.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office also encourages residents in the Northern District of Florida to lock their vehicles at night since thefts from unlocked cars are a significant source of firearms used by criminals in the area.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices nationwide serving under the direction of the Attorney General. More information about its work can be found at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
