By Editorial Staff
In Gainesville, Florida, 20-year-old DaMorie Lamontay Miles has been handed a federal prison sentence of nearly four years for possessing marijuana with the intent to distribute and dealing with an unregistered firearm. This legal action was confirmed by John P. Heekin, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin remarked on the case, underscoring its significance as another triumph for the Department of Justice. He reaffirmed the commitment made by former President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Todd Blanche to leverage federal authority to ensure safe and drug-free communities for America’s citizens.
The Arrest and Subsequent Charges
Miles found himself in legal hot water following his arrest on September 3, 2025, in Gainesville. Arrested on state charges, he was accused of selling marijuana close to a school and operating a location for drug sales, activities uncovered during a house arrest when authorities executed a search warrant on his residence. Further complicating his legal troubles, Miles faced additional charges including attempted premeditated murder, shooting into a dwelling, and conspiracy to commit murder. These charges arose after local police alleged that he had directed two juveniles to fire into an occupied home.
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.
“Our goal is to make Gainesville a safer place, and that means keeping dangerous drugs and illegal firearms out of the hands of those who would use them to harm others,” said Gainesville Police Chief Nelson Moya.
Miles’ sentence will run consecutive to another state sentence involving the possession of a controlled substance without a prescription and the possession of a weapon or ammunition by a Florida delinquent.
The case involved an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Gainesville Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christie S. Utt.