This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)), published as received.
Pensacola, Florida – Akeem Cornell Shaw, 39, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to six and a half years in federal prison after previously pleading guilty to possession of fentanyl, methamphetamine, and cocaine with intent to distribute, possession of firearms in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense, possession of firearms by a convicted felon, and possession of a short- barreled rifle. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, with support from our federal law enforcement partners, continues to strike back against the armed criminals flooding our streets with drugs. As this defendant has learned, my office is committed to aggressively prosecuting drug-peddling criminals, and we’ll continue to do so until we deliver the safe, drug-free communities that our citizens deserve.”
Court documents reflect that law enforcement executed a search warrant at the defendant’s residence in February of 2025. During a search of the defendant’s bedroom, investigators located three firearms, one being a short-barreled rifle, fentanyl, methamphetamine, cocaine, ammunition, and other items indicative of drug distribution. The defendant has multiple prior felony convictions and cannot legally possess firearms and ammunition.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.
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 https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
