Serial Felon Pleads Guilty to Illegal Possession of Firearm

Gainesville, Florida - Curtis Lee Smith-Carter, 28, of Gainesville, 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: "Removing this serial felon from our streets achieves one of the key goals of Operation Take Back America, which devotes the full might of the Department of Justice toward protecting our communities from violent criminals. My office will continue to aggressively prosecute and seek maximum punishments for repeat offenders, like this defendant, to deliver the safe streets and neighborhoods the citizens of the Northern District of Florida deserve!"

Court documents reflect that on November 8, 2025, shortly after midnight, the defendant attempted to flee from police as they approached him behind a Gainesville convenience store near an open fire. At that time, the defendant was in possession of a loaded .32 caliber pistol, which he threw over a fence. The defendant has been convicted of nine prior felony offenses, including possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.

Smith-Carter faces up to 15 years' imprisonment.

The case involved a joint investigation by the Gainesville Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 21, 2026, at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville before United States Chief 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.

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 FloridaLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. website. For more information about the United States Attorney's Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.