Sheriff, U.S. attorney launch unprecedented 'strike force' to combat Tallahassee gun violence

MarKeith Cromartie
Tallahassee Democrat

Billing it as an "unprecedented" operation, a federal, state and local strike force is underway in the capital city to get "the worst of the worst" criminals, guns and illegal drugs off the streets.

Four teams began the operations well before dawn when dozens of lawmen were sworn in as federal marshals and fanned out to serve warrants.

“This community is about to see an unprecedented show of force with a single focus — to make our neighborhoods safer, ” said Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil, who is leading up the effort. “We're going to arrest a lot of people, and it may not be pretty."

As part of LCSO's “ALLinLEON” initiative, McNeil and U.S. Attorney Lawrence Keefe announced Monday they are working together — along with the Tallahassee Police Department, U.S. Marshals Service, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Highway Patrol, campus police, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Tallahassee and the 2nd Judicial Circuit State Attorney's Office — to target the area's violent criminals in places that have become hot spots for criminal activity. 

Back story:

Keefe, wearing a tactical vest after observing some of the operations, joined representatives from the other agencies at the Tallahassee Democrat Monday morning to announce what he called a community "intervention."

He said while most may associate federal law enforcement with ferreting out public corruption and white collar crime, agencies can step in when the need arises.

“When a community is in trouble and in need, federal law enforcement is here to back it up,” he said. 

Using a gun in a drug deal or committing a violent crime is a federal crime. It also is a federal crime for a convicted felon to possess a gun. Such offenses may carry mandatory minimum sentences, in some violent felony cases up to life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Keefe noted that those arrested could face federal charges and be sent to federal correctional institutions rather than the Leon County Detention Center.

“Criminals, be warned: If you commit a crime with a gun, these agencies are coming for you, and you’ll be put away far from Tallahassee for as long as possible,” Keefe said. "You're gonna go away, you're gonna go away for a long time and it's going to happen rapidly."

The extraordinary law enforcement collaboration follows a spate of gun violence in the Tallahassee area, which has seen multiple broad daylight shootings and armed robberies. According to data compiled by the Tallahassee Democrat there have been at least 34 shootings in 2019 with 32 people injured and six killed; a dozen of those incidents occurred in the month of May.

A Leon County Sheriff's Office deputy and K9 "Tater" move toward a suspect's house

Leon County's crime rate has topped the state for four years runningThe violence has vexed community leaders, who have called three news conferences in recent weeks calling for calm.

Both Keefe and McNeil said the number of shootings this year are inordinate and a key factor behind the partnership.

Keefe noted that "the last thing we need" is for the city of Tallahassee to be compared to places like Chicago, that saw 10 dead and 52 wounded this weekend alone.

Marty West, deputy Commander of the U.S Marshal Fugitive Task Force who oversaw the morning operations, said they were targeting "the worst of the worst." And by doing so, West hopes to ease the fears of neighbors and witnesses, who may be more likely to come forward and assist lawmen.

"We are targeting the predators on the streets," he said. "We have an old saying, 'the more wolves we take out of the forest, the less sheep they eat.' "

McNeil said the unique, multi-agency crackdown will bring results, and "will continue until it's done." Officials say operations will even spread to neighboring Big Bend counties as warranted.

Success will be not only be measured in the number of arrests, but in giving local community-based programs working on the root causes of crime the space to be effective. 

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Shane Gray is arrested at his west Tallahassee home on charges of battery, driving while license is suspended or revoked, violation of probation carrying a concealed weapon and violation of probation possession of a controlled substance.

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McNeil also called on residents to report tips about illegal gun possession or gun-related crimes and to keep their own weapons secure. Last month alone, LCSO said a dozen guns were stolen from vehicles during car break-ins worked by the agency.

“Stolen guns often end up being used in the commission of crimes.” McNeil said.

McNeil said residents can also help by offering tips to Big Bend Crime Stoppers, which he said has not been as "robust" as he would like. The organization is appealing to businesses to contribute so it can increase the amount on monetary awards given to those who help solve crimes.

For tips, residents can contact Big Bend Crime Stoppers at 850-574-TIPS or go online at bbcsi.org. You can also contact ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS or text ATFTAM to 63975.

Both McNeil and Tallahassee Police Chief Michael DeLeo reiterated that overall crime is down and said the operation shouldn't diminish the strides law enforcement has made in recent years.

DeLeo said he remembers when he took the job as chief in 2013 that there was almost a shooting a day. Now it's more like one a week, he said.

"We've actually made a lot of inroads, and now we are seeing a little pushback. This is us announcing we are pushing back." 

How can law-abiding citizens help?

  • If you see something, say something.
  • If you own a gun legally, keep it securely locked up, and don’t store it in a vehicle.
  • If you have a tip about someone criminally possessing a gun or committing an offense with a gun, call Big Bend Crime Stoppers at 850-574-TIPS or go online at bbcsi.org. You can also contact ATF at 1-888-ATF-TIPS or text ATFTAM to 63975.