Executive Summary
Laws and Precedent
Pensacola, Florida – Ernest L. Thomas II, a 35-year-old Pensacola resident, has been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of illegally possessing a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The indictment, announced by U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin for the Northern District of Florida, follows his arraignment on September 23, 2025, with a jury trial scheduled for November 10, 2025. If convicted, Thomas faces a maximum sentence of fifteen years in federal prison.
Legal Proceedings Underway
Thomas appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Zachary C. Bolitho for his arraignment in federal court in Pensacola. The upcoming trial, where the government will present its case, will be presided over by District Court Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office jointly conducted the investigation into Thomas’s alleged illegal possession. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher C. Patterson is prosecuting the case for the government.
Operation Take Back America Context
This case falls under “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide Department of Justice initiative. This operation aims to combat illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protect communities from violent crime.
The initiative integrates resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). It represents a streamlined effort to address complex criminal activities across the country.
Federal Commitment to Public Safety
The indictment of Ernest L. Thomas II underscores ongoing federal efforts to address illegal firearm possession by convicted felons. His case highlights the Department of Justice’s commitment, through initiatives like “Operation Take Back America,” to enhance public safety and prosecute individuals who violate federal law.