Executive Summary
Laws and Precedent
Vinson Tavaris Brown, 33, of Homestead, Florida, has been indicted by a federal grand jury in the Northern District of Florida on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and illegal possession of a machinegun. United States Attorney John P. Heekin announced the charges today, following Brown’s arraignment in Tallahassee where his trial is set for October 27, 2025.
If convicted, Brown faces significant prison time. He could receive up to fifteen years for the firearm possession charge and an additional ten years for the illegal machinegun possession.
Brown appeared for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick in federal court on September 12, 2025. The case will proceed to trial before United States District Judge Mark Walker.
The Tallahassee Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) conducted the investigation. Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain is prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.
It is important to note that an indictment represents an allegation by a grand jury and is not evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent and are entitled to a fair trial, where the government bears the burden of proving guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Operation Take Back America
National Initiative
This case falls under Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative by the Department of Justice. The operation aims to deploy the full resources of the Department to combat illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from violent crime.
It integrates efforts from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
Community Safety Efforts
As part of its Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN) strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is actively encouraging residents to lock their car doors, especially at night. Burglaries from unlocked vehicles are identified as a significant source of firearms for criminals across the Northern District of Florida. This community outreach seeks to enhance public safety by reducing the availability of stolen weapons.
Looking Ahead
The indictment of Vinson Tavaris Brown underscores ongoing federal efforts to combat illegal firearm possession and violent crime within the Northern District of Florida. As the case proceeds to trial in October 2025, it highlights the Department of Justice’s broader commitment through initiatives like Operation Take Back America and Project Safe Neighborhood to enhance community safety and enforce federal law.
