In a significant legal development in Gainesville, Florida, 19-year-old DaMorie Lamontay Miles has admitted guilt in a federal courtroom to charges related to drug distribution and firearm violations. Specifically, Miles has pleaded guilty to possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute and managing a firearm not registered under the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record. This announcement was made by John P. Heekin, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin issued a stern warning, stating, “The involvement in drugs and illegal firearms within the Northern District of Florida is a fast track to federal incarceration, a fate my office is prepared to enforce. Operation Take Back America stands as our commitment to utilize every available resource to ensure the safety and drug-free status of our communities. Successful legal actions, such as this one, are a testament to our dedication to that promise.”
Details of the Arrest
Miles was initially taken into custody on September 3, 2025, in Gainesville following charges at the state level for selling marijuana within 1,000 feet of a school and maintaining a property for drug sales. This arrest occurred after law enforcement executed a search warrant at his home while he was under house arrest. Further complications arose when Miles faced additional charges, including attempted premeditated homicide, shooting into a dwelling, and conspiracy to commit murder. These charges were based on allegations from the Gainesville Police Department, which claimed Miles had orchestrated an attack by sending two juveniles to fire into an occupied residence.
Court documentation reveals that Miles was actively engaged in communication through text messages and social media platforms, coordinating the purchase and sale of marijuana as well as acquiring a machine gun conversion device (MCD). When authorities executed the search warrant at his residence, they discovered the MCD alongside 600 grams of marijuana, solidifying the case against him.
Court records reflect that the defendant was communicating via text message and social media with others to buy and sell marijuana and to obtain a machine gun conversion device (MCD). The MCD and 600 grams of marijuana were found when the search warrant was executed at his residence.
If convicted on all counts, Miles faces up to 10 years’ imprisonment.
The case is being jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Gainesville Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christie S. Utt.
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.
