KEY POINTS
A Milton, Florida man has been federally indicted on charges of illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida announced. Willie Curtis Slack, Jr., 49, faces a potential mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years in prison if convicted under the Armed Career Criminal Act. His initial court appearance is scheduled for August 13, 2025, in Pensacola.
The indictment alleges that Slack, who has prior felony convictions, was in possession of a firearm and ammunition, a violation of federal law. He is set to be arraigned before United States Magistrate Judge Hope T. Cannon at the U.S. Courthouse in Pensacola.
The Legal Process and Potential Penalties
The case against Slack was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Alicia H. Forbes will lead the prosecution on behalf of the government.
Officials emphasized that an indictment represents a formal accusation by a grand jury and is not evidence of guilt. Under the U.S. legal system, all defendants, including Slack, are presumed innocent until the government can prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt in a fair trial.
Armed Career Criminal Act
The severe potential sentence in this case stems from the Armed Career Criminal Act (ACCA). This federal law mandates a minimum 15-year prison sentence for individuals convicted of illegally possessing a firearm who have three or more previous convictions for violent felonies or serious drug offenses. The act is designed to target and impose stricter penalties on repeat offenders deemed a high risk to public safety.
Part of a National Initiative
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America, a comprehensive Department of Justice initiative. The operation aims to coordinate federal resources to combat violent crime, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and address illegal immigration.
The program streamlines the efforts of established federal task forces, including the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). OCDETF focuses on disrupting high-level criminal organizations, while PSN brings together law enforcement at all levels to reduce gun violence within specific communities.
The charges against Slack highlight the federal government’s continued focus on prosecuting prohibited individuals who possess firearms. With a significant mandatory sentence on the line, the case underscores the serious consequences for convicted felons found with weapons, as part of a broader national strategy to curb violent crime.
