Etavious J. Milton, 26, of Tallahassee, was indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm, United States Attorney John P. Heekin announced on Mar. 20.
The case is significant because it highlights ongoing efforts to address violent crime and illegal firearm possession in the community. Milton appeared for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Martin A. Fitzpatrick in Tallahassee, with a jury trial scheduled for April 13 before District Court Judge Mark E. Walker.
If convicted, Milton could face up to fifteen years in prison. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Tallahassee Police Department investigated the case, which is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric W. Welch.
Officials emphasized that an indictment is only an allegation and not evidence of guilt; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America, described as a nationwide initiative using Department of Justice resources to combat illegal immigration, eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from violent crime perpetrators.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices serving as principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.
