Quincy, Florida man pleads guilty in federal court to gun possession by convicted felon

– A 36-year-old Quincy man has pleaded guilty in federal court to illegally possessing a firearm after investigators said he armed himself during an argument.

Arrest and charges

Eric Felton Cooper Jr., 36, of Quincy, Florida, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida.

John P. Heekin, the United States attorney for the Northern District of Florida, announced the plea.

“Our brave men and women of law enforcement are fighting hard every day to keep our communities safe from dangerous criminals, like this defendant, and my office is prepared to aggressively prosecute these cases to hold those individuals accountable to the fullest extent of the law,” Heekin said.

The case stems from a Jan. 18, 2026, incident in which law enforcement responded to a 911 call involving a firearm.

While on scene, officers learned Cooper armed himself with a firearm during an argument with another individual.

Authorities said Cooper was a convicted felon at the time and could not legally possess a firearm. Cooper faces up to 15 years in prison.

Charges and court proceedings

Sentencing is scheduled for Jan. 15, 2027, at 11 a.m. before District Court Judge Mark E. Walker in Tallahassee, Florida.