John Cody Hawthorne, a 32-year-old resident of Pensacola, Florida, has pleaded guilty in federal court to several charges, including possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of a short-barreled rifle, and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances. The announcement was made by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “I applaud the excellent work of Sheriff Chip Simmons and our federal law enforcement partners to make our community safer by getting this dangerous individual off the streets. My office remains fully committed to fulfilling the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America by targeting violent criminals with the full force of the law.”
According to court documents, Hawthorne was on state probation when authorities executed a search warrant at his home. Law enforcement found seven firearms in his bedroom, including a short-barreled rifle, more than 400 rounds of live ammunition, marijuana, methamphetamine, ballistic body armor, and several thousand dollars in cash.
Hawthorne could face up to fifteen years in prison for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, up to ten years for possessing a short-barreled rifle, and up to twenty years for drug possession with intent to distribute.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives along with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton is prosecuting the case.
Sentencing is set for November 13, 2025 at 10:00 am at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell II.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), an initiative that brings together resources from various Department of Justice programs such as OCDETFs and Project Safe Neighborhoods to address violent crime and criminal organizations nationwide.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices serving as principal litigators under direction from the Attorney General. More information about public court documents can be found on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website or at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
