Justin Grantsteadman, a 36-year-old resident of Tallahassee, Florida, has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison for 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: “The U.S. Marshals are second-to-none in tracking down fugitives and bringing them to justice. My office stands ready to back up their hard work to get dangerous felons off our streets with successful prosecutions and lengthy prison sentences to fulfill the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi to Take Back America from the perpetrators of violent crime.”
According to court documents, Grantsteadman was located at a motel in Midway, Florida, by the United States Marshal Service Fugitive Task Force because he had an active warrant after violating state felony probation. During his arrest, law enforcement officers found a Taurus 9-millimeter pistol in his front pocket that had been reported stolen days earlier in Tallahassee.
Acting U.S. Marshal Greg Leljedal commented: “Grantsteadman was an armed and dangerous fugitive who thought he could outrun the law. Our community is now safer with him behind bars.”
After completing his prison sentence, Grantsteadman will be placed on supervised release for three years.
The investigation involved collaboration between the United States Marshals Service, Tallahassee Police Department, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain prosecuted the case.
This prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America—a national effort using Department of Justice resources against illegal immigration and organized crime while aiming to protect communities from violent offenders.
As part of its Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) strategy, the U.S. Attorney’s Office urges residents to lock their vehicles at night since unlocked cars often serve as sources for firearms used by criminals in northern Florida.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida serves as one of 94 offices nationwide representing the federal government under direction from the Attorney General. More information about its work can be found at https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.
