A Bahamian national, Shelton Thompson, pleaded guilty in federal court in Miami on Friday to possessing a firearm as an illegal alien, while also being wanted for murder in the Bahamas. Thompson, 38, has been unlawfully present in the U.S. since August 2024.
Law enforcement encountered Thompson during a traffic stop, which led to the discovery of his illegal presence in the country. A subsequent search of his residence uncovered a firearm, which federal law prohibited him from possessing.
U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida emphasized the importance of such enforcement. "South Florida's proximity to international borders makes vigorous enforcement of immigration and firearms laws essential to public safety," Quiñones said. "Individuals who enter or remain in this country unlawfully and illegally possess firearms will be investigated and prosecuted."
Thompson faces a maximum of 15 years in federal prison, with a federal district court judge determining the final sentence. The case is being prosecuted by the Border and Immigration Crimes Enforcement (BICE) Section, established in November 2025 to enhance border security and enforce federal immigration law in South Florida.