Nicholas Wayne Finley, 37, and Jason Dean Atkinson, 43, both from Havana, Florida, have pleaded guilty in federal court to charges of possessing firearms and ammunition as convicted felons. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “Thanks to the close collaboration between our local and federal law enforcement partners, these repeat offenders have been stopped from continuing to menace our streets and now face substantial prison time. My office will aggressively pursue criminals, like these men, who threaten the safety of our communities.”
According to court documents, federal law enforcement executed a search warrant at the brothers’ residence on July 10, 2025. Officers discovered nine firearms and various types of ammunition in Finley’s bedroom. Atkinson was found with a round of .45 caliber ammunition in his pocket; a .45 caliber 1911-style firearm with removed manufacturer’s markings and additional ammunition were located in his trailer.
Finley has multiple prior felony convictions from Iowa. Atkinson previously received a federal conviction for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute methamphetamine as well as possession of firearms related to drug trafficking; he also has two state convictions in Florida for methamphetamine possession.
Both defendants could receive up to 15 years in prison when sentenced.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), with support from the Havana Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain is prosecuting the case.
Sentencing is set for December 22, 2025 at 10:00 am at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before Judge Robert L. Hinkle.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a national initiative that brings together resources from across the Department of Justice to address illegal immigration issues, eliminate cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect communities from violent crime perpetrators.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office continues its Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) strategy by urging residents to lock their car doors at night since thefts from unlocked vehicles are a significant source of guns used by criminals within northern Florida.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida serves as one of 94 offices representing principal litigators under direction from 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.
