Quincy Man Pleads Guilty to Felon Gun Possession
Eric Felton Cooper Jr., 36, admitted possessing a firearm as a convicted felon in a federal case prosecuted in Florida's Northern District.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Criminal Justice
Eric Felton Cooper Jr., 36, of Quincy, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Sentencing is scheduled for January 15, 2027, before U.S. District Judge Mark E. Walker in Tallahassee.
Why it matters
The plea resolves a case arising from a January 18, 2026 incident in which Cooper armed himself during an argument, drawing a joint federal and local investigation. The outcome reflects how federal prosecutors pursue firearm offenses committed by people with prior felony convictions.
Cooper pleaded guilty and faces up to 15 years' imprisonment, with sentencing set for January 15, 2027, at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Mark E. Walker. Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph A. Ravelo is prosecuting the case, and the actual sentence remains undetermined until that hearing.
The players
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives
The federal agency that enforces firearms laws and co-led the investigation into this case alongside local police.
Tallahassee Police Department
The municipal police agency that responded to the incident and co-investigated the case with federal authorities.
Mark E. Walker
A U.S. District Judge in the Northern District of Florida who will preside over Cooper's sentencing hearing.
The details
Law enforcement responded to a 911 call involving a firearm on January 18, 2026, and learned Cooper had armed himself during an argument with another individual. The investigation was conducted jointly by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Tallahassee Police Department.
Timeline
January 18, 2026: Law enforcement responds to a 911 call involving a firearm.
January 15, 2027: Sentencing is scheduled at 11:00 a.m. before Judge Mark E. Walker.
Legal Context
Cooper's case falls under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(1), the federal felon-in-possession statute that federal prosecutors in Florida apply regularly to gun cases involving people with prior felony convictions. The guilty plea follows that established federal pattern, in which local incidents are referred for federal prosecution.
Cooper's sentence will determine how long he remains out of the community, which matters to residents of Quincy and Tallahassee. The case also shows that felons found with guns can face federal charges carrying up to 15 years, regardless of where the initial incident occurred.
The takeaway
Federal felon-in-possession charges carry significant penalties and are pursued jointly by federal and local investigators. Readers following local gun cases can track sentencing outcomes at the scheduled federal hearing.
What happens next
Sentencing is scheduled for January 15, 2027, at 11:00 a.m. before District Court Judge Mark E. Walker in Tallahassee.
Further reading
For more on how these cases move through the system, see Criminal Justice coverage for Tallahassee.
