Former Leon County Sheriff’s Deputy Bill Culpepper, 57, of Havana, Florida, is facing a major federal charge after authorities uncovered an arsenal of illegal firearms in his possession. Culpepper was indicted by a federal grand jury on three counts of possession of a machine gun, three counts of possession of an unregistered firearm/short-barrel rifle, and one count of possessing an unmarked silencer.
United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, John P. Heekin, announced the charges against Culpepper, who appeared in federal court on September 11, 2025, for his arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick. The trial is scheduled for November 4, 2025, at 8:30 am, and will be presided over by United States Chief District Judge Allen C. Winsor.
In the event of a conviction, Culpepper could face up to ten years’ imprisonment for each count. The investigation leading to his arrest was conducted by the Tallahassee Police Department, in collaboration with the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Eric K Mountin is handling the prosecution.
This case is a part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration, eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime. The operation leverages resources from various task forces within the Department of Justice.
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. For public court documents, visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. More information about the office can be found at the United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida.
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Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Public Corruption|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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