PENSACOLA, FLORIDA – A local man has pleaded guilty to a string of serious charges, including possession of firearms and ammunition by a convicted felon, possession of a short-barreled rifle, and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances.
John Cody Hawthorne, 32, of Pensacola, Florida, entered his guilty plea in federal court to the aforementioned charges. According to court documents, Hawthorne was in possession of multiple firearms, including a short-barreled rifle, as well as over 400 live rounds of ammunition, marijuana, methamphetamine, ballistic body armor, and several thousand dollars.
At the time of his arrest, Hawthorne was on state probation, making his possession of firearms and ammunition even more egregious. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, along with the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, conducted a joint investigation that led to the execution of a search warrant at Hawthorne’s residence.
Hawthorne faces up to 15 years’ imprisonment on the possession of firearm by convicted felon count, up to 10 years imprisonment on the possession of short-barreled rifle count, and up to 20 years imprisonment on the drug possession charge.
The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton, and sentencing is scheduled for November 13, 2025, at 10:00 am at the United States Courthouse in Pensacola before United States District Judge T. Kent Wetherell, II.
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, and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.
Defendant: John Cody Hawthorne
Criminal Charges: Possession of firearms and ammunition by convicted felon, possession of a short-barreled rifle, and possession with intent to distribute controlled substances
City and State: Pensacola, Florida
Exact Date: N/A (plea and sentencing dates provided)
Sentence or Outcome: To be determined at sentencing on November 13, 2025
Dollar Amounts: Several thousand dollars
Key Facts
- State: Florida
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Weapons|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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