TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)), published as received.

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – Justin Grantsteadman, 36, of Tallahassee, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Our outstanding U.S. Marshals are second to none in their pursuit of criminal offenders and fugitives, and I applaud their excellent work with local and federal law enforcement in this case to find and detain this felon who fled from his prior sentence. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute dangerous felons, like this defendant, to keep our communities safe.”

Court documents reflect that the United States Marshals Service Florida/Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force located the defendant at a motel in Midway, Florida due to an active warrant for absconding from state felony probation. Officers arrested the defendant and found a firearm in his front pocket, which had been reported stolen several days before in Tallahassee.

The defendant faces imprisonment for up to 15 years.

The case involved an investigation by the United States Marshals Service, the Tallahassee Police Department, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 30, 2025, at 10:00 am at the United States Courthouse in Tallahassee before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.

The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation’s principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.  To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website.  For more information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html