Executive Summary
Laws and Precedent
Louis Terrell Jones, a 42-year-old resident of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, has pleaded guilty to charges of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a machinegun. The plea stems from a November 2024 traffic stop in Escambia County, where deputies discovered a Glock 9mm pistol illegally modified to function as a machinegun.
Details of the Incident
The charges against Jones arose when a deputy with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office initiated a routine traffic stop on a vehicle Jones was driving. During the stop, a search of the vehicle revealed the Glock 9mm pistol equipped with a machinegun conversion device.
Prior Convictions and Legal Ramifications
Jones is legally prohibited from possessing any firearm due to a history of multiple felony convictions. His past offenses include attempted burglary, possession of a weapon on school property, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, and aggravated assault by threat with a firearm. For his latest offenses, Jones faces a potential sentence of up to 25 years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a fine of up to $250,000.
Prosecutorial Statement and Law Enforcement Efforts
United States Attorney John P. Heekin for the Northern District of Florida announced the guilty plea, emphasizing the growing threat of illegally modified firearms. Heekin stated that law enforcement officers are increasingly encountering and seizing such weapons. He affirmed his office’s commitment to targeting violent criminals, aligning with the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to “Take Back America.”
Investigation and Upcoming Sentencing
This case was the result of a joint investigation conducted by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Tharp is prosecuting the case. Sentencing for Jones is scheduled for November 6, 2025, and will take place at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
The guilty plea underscores the ongoing efforts by federal and local law enforcement to combat the proliferation of illegal firearms, particularly those modified into machineguns, and to hold accountable individuals prohibited from possessing weapons due to their criminal histories.
