Felon Kelley Jr. Busted with Machine Gun in Florida

TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA – James Wiley Kelley, Jr., 50, of Altha, Florida, is facing serious federal charges after being indicted by a grand jury for a cache of illegal firearms, including a machine gun. The Northern District of Florida U.S. Attorney’s Office announced the indictment today, detailing accusations of possession of an unregistered National Firearms Act (NFA) weapon, the machine gun itself, and firearms and ammunition despite being a convicted felon – a clear violation of federal law.

Kelley, Jr. made his initial appearance in federal court on September 24, 2025, before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick. He’s currently slated to stand trial before District Court Judge Mark E. Walker on November 27, 2025. The feds aren’t playing around; a conviction could land Kelley Jr. in prison for up to 10 years for possessing the unregistered NFA weapon, another 10 years for the machine gun, and a hefty 15 years for being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition. That’s a potential 35-year stretch.

The investigation, a joint effort by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), was bolstered by assistance from the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office. Sources tell Grimy Times that the ATF had been monitoring Kelley Jr. for some time, suspecting illegal firearms activity. Details regarding the source of the machine gun and the specifics of how Kelley Jr. allegedly obtained it remain sealed, but we’ll be digging for more.

Assistant United States Attorney Jason R. Coody is handling the prosecution. This isn’t just a local case; it falls under the umbrella of “Operation Take Back America,” a nationwide initiative spearheaded by the Department of Justice. The operation aims to dismantle transnational criminal organizations (TCOs) and combat violent crime, streamlining resources from the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN). It’s a full-court press, and Kelley Jr. is caught in the crosshairs.

Let’s be clear: an indictment is not a conviction. Kelley Jr. is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The government bears the burden of proof, and must demonstrate his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. But the charges are severe, and the evidence presented at trial will undoubtedly be scrutinized. Grimy Times will be in the courtroom, reporting on every twist and turn.

For those seeking access to public court documents related to this case, visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website. More information about the United States Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida, can be found at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html. Stay tuned to Grimy Times for ongoing coverage of this and other federal crime cases.

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