Executive Summary
Laws and Precedent
Pensacola, FL – A Pensacola man, Akeem Cornell Shaw, 39, pleaded guilty in federal court Wednesday to a range of narcotics and firearms offenses, including possession with intent to distribute controlled substances and possessing an unregistered short-barreled shotgun. The conviction stems from a February 2025 search warrant execution at his residence, where law enforcement discovered multiple loaded firearms and various controlled substances. Shaw, a repeat felon with prior narcotics convictions, now faces a potential sentence of up to life imprisonment.
Details of the Plea
Shaw admitted guilt to four distinct federal charges: possession with intent to distribute controlled substances, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and possession of an unregistered short-barreled shotgun. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Court documents reveal that during the February 2025 search of Shaw’s Pensacola residence, officers found fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and ammunition in his bedroom. They also located multiple loaded firearms, including the illegal short-barreled shotgun, alongside other items indicating drug distribution activities.
Law Enforcement Response and Commitment
U.S. Attorney Heekin commended the collaborative efforts of the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and federal law enforcement partners. He highlighted their “continued excellence” in investigating Shaw, whom he described as a “repeat offender,” and bringing him to justice.
Heekin reiterated his office’s dedication to public safety, stating that prosecutors are committed to using “the full force of the law to keep our streets safe.” He added that this commitment fulfills “the promise made by President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America from the criminals victimizing our communities.”
Shaw’s Criminal History and Sentencing
Shaw’s status as a convicted felon played a role in the charges, as he had previous convictions for several narcotics-related offenses, including Possession of Heroin with Intent to Sell. This history underscored the seriousness of the current charges.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton is prosecuting the case.
Sentencing for Akeem Cornell Shaw is scheduled for December 11, 2025, at 9:00 am. The proceeding will take place at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
Looking Ahead
Shaw’s guilty plea marks a significant step in addressing drug and firearms offenses in the Pensacola area. The forthcoming sentencing will determine the length of his incarceration, which could potentially extend to life imprisonment, reflecting the gravity of his crimes and his history as a repeat offender.
