In Gainesville, Florida, Curtis Lee Smith-Carter, aged 28, has entered a guilty plea in a federal court for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon. This development was shared by John P. Heekin, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin remarked, “Taking this repeat offender off our streets aligns with the objectives of Operation Take Back America. This initiative harnesses the full power of the Department of Justice to safeguard our communities from violent criminals. Our office remains committed to aggressively prosecuting and seeking the harshest penalties for habitual offenders, ensuring that the residents of Northern Florida enjoy safer streets and communities.”
The incident leading to Smith-Carter’s arrest took place on November 8, 2025. A Gainesville Police Department officer observed Smith-Carter at the Food Max located at 1304 E. University Avenue, an area the officer described as a “high drug and crime area.” Upon noticing the officer’s presence, Smith-Carter hastily gathered his backpack and attempted to leave the scene.
Despite the officer’s commands to stop, accompanied by warnings of a K-9 unit on site, Smith-Carter reportedly continued to flee. During the pursuit, he discarded his backpack into a pile of hot ashes near a fire and threw a .32 caliber pistol over a chain link fence. The officer later discovered that the backpack contained a holster that perfectly matched the handgun recovered from the other side of the fence.
Smith-Carter was arrested on November 8, 2025, after a Gainesville Police Department officer noticed that Smith-Carter picked up his backpack and walked away as soon as he saw the officer pull into the back lot of Food Max (1304 E. University Avenue), which the officer described as a “high drug and crime area.”
The officer reported that Smith-Carter started running toward the front of the store, and when the officer got out of his car and told Smith-Carter to stop (including warnings that a K-9 was at the scene), Smith-Carter allegedly continued running, discarded his backpack into a pile of hot ashes where a fire was burning, and threw a .32 caliber pistol over the chain link fence. The officer reported that Smith-Carter’s backpack contained a holster that “perfectly fit” the handgun that was found on the other side of the fence.
Post Miranda, Smith-Carter reportedly admitted to possessing a handgun, although he has nine felony convictions; he said he found it and kept it because he doesn’t like to fight. Smith-Carter was originally arrested on state charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, tampering with evidence, and resisting an officer without violence, but those charges were dropped after the federal indictment was filed.
Smith-Carter is being held without bail until his federal trial.
Faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment
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.
