Quinton L. Pete Convicted of Armed Robbery and Firearm Possession, …

Pensacola, FL – Quinton L. Pete, a 34-year-old career criminal from Ocala, Florida, has been convicted by a federal jury of attempted robbery and weapons charges stemming from a brazen shooting at Coyote’s Sports Bar in March 2022. Pete opened fire on two employees during a failed heist, leaving them wounded and sparking a multi-state manhunt.

The botched robbery unfolded on March 9th, 2022, when Pete stormed into Coyote’s intending to steal from the establishment. When confronted, he pulled a firearm and shot two employees at close range. The victims, unable to identify their assailant immediately due to their injuries, provided authorities with a limited description. The feds quickly turned to surveillance footage from nearby businesses, which captured a white Jeep Grand Cherokee fleeing the scene.

That Jeep proved to be Pete’s downfall. Investigators traced the vehicle’s registration back to the convicted felon. Just one day after the shooting, Pete was apprehended in Dallas, Texas, still behind the wheel of the Grand Cherokee. Inside, they found the same firearm used in the Pensacola shooting, confirmed by ballistics testing. What’s particularly damning? Pete had only been released from prison seven months prior, having previously served time for burglary with a firearm, grand theft, and even shooting into a dwelling.

The three-day trial saw Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Jessica S. Etherton lay out the evidence before the jury. They demonstrated Pete’s clear intent to rob the bar and his violent actions when confronted. The jury didn’t hesitate, returning a guilty verdict on both counts: Attempted Hobbs Act Robbery and Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. U.S. Attorney Jason R. Coody announced the conviction, a clear signal that violent crime won’t be tolerated in the Northern District of Florida.

Pete’s criminal history paints a picture of a man repeatedly failing to learn from his mistakes. Now, he faces a potential 30-year federal prison sentence for his actions at Coyote’s Sports Bar. Sentencing is scheduled for October 26th before Judge T.K. Wetherell at the Pensacola courthouse. This case is part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods,” a federal program aimed at curbing violent crime and gun violence across the country – a program that, in this instance, delivered a conviction.

The investigation wasn’t a solo effort. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Pensacola Police Department, the Department of Homeland Security, the Grand Prairie (TX) Police Department, the U.S. Marshals, and the State Attorney’s Office all contributed to bringing Pete to justice. This collaborative approach highlights the importance of interagency cooperation in tackling violent crime.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Goldberg and Etherton deserve credit for their meticulous prosecution of this case. They presented a clear and compelling narrative to the jury, ensuring that Pete would be held accountable for his actions. The feds will be seeking a substantial sentence, given Pete’s extensive criminal history and the severity of the crimes he committed.

This conviction sends a strong message to would-be criminals: Pensacola is not a place where you can commit violent acts and expect to get away with it. The combined efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement will ensure that those who endanger our communities are brought to justice. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the sentencing hearing next month.