A Tallahassee man, Justin Grantsteadman, age 36, has pleaded guilty in federal court to 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.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “Our outstanding U.S. Marshals are second to none in their pursuit of criminal offenders and fugitives, and I applaud their excellent work with local and federal law enforcement in this case to find and detain this felon who fled from his prior sentence. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute dangerous felons, like this defendant, to keep our communities safe.”
According to court documents, the United States Marshals Service Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force located Grantsteadman at a motel in Midway, Florida after he absconded from state felony probation. Officers arrested him on an active warrant and found a firearm in his front pocket that had been reported stolen days earlier in Tallahassee.
Grantsteadman could face up to 15 years in prison. The investigation involved the United States Marshals Service, the Tallahassee Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain is prosecuting the case.
Sentencing is set for December 30, 2025 at 10:00 am at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America—a nationwide initiative aimed at using Department of Justice resources to address illegal immigration issues and combat cartels as well as transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office also reminds residents that many guns used by criminals come from burglaries involving unlocked vehicles in Northern Florida neighborhoods and encourages people to lock their car doors.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida serves as one of 94 principal litigation offices under the direction of the Attorney General. More information about public court documents can be found on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website or through http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html
