Zackery Chase Brunson, 33, of Shalimar, Florida, has pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. 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 substantial efforts of our state and federal law enforcement partners to make our community safer by getting this dangerous repeat offender off the streets. This is yet another important case by my office fulfilling the promise of President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America by aggressively pursuing criminal offenders to keep our communities safe.”
Law enforcement executed a search warrant at Brunson’s residence in January 2025 in Shalimar, where they discovered two rifles, a shotgun, three pistols, and various types of ammunition. Brunson is not allowed to possess firearms due to previous felony convictions for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and possession of a controlled substance.
Brunson could face up to fifteen years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Drug Enforcement Administration, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), and the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Jeffrey Tharp is prosecuting the case.
Sentencing is set for November 13, 2025 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), which coordinates resources from several Department of Justice initiatives like OCDETFs and Project Safe Neighborhoods to combat illegal immigration and violent crime nationwide.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida serves as one of 94 principal litigating offices under direction from the Attorney General. Additional information about public court documents can be found on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website or through their official page at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
