Pensacola man sentenced for machine gun, drug trafficking after car chase
A Pensacola man who led Florida Highway Patrol troopers on a high-speed chase down Pensacola Boulevard in 2023 has been sentenced to spend nine years in a federal prison.
The U.S. Attorney's Office announced June 24 that 21-year-old Antoine Booker was given the nine-year sentence for possessing a loaded gun and trafficking "large amounts" of marijuana.
"The public should rest assured that law enforcement will not stand for armed drug traffickers endangering citizens in our streets," said U.S. Attorney John Heekin. "If you possess a machinegun to protect your drug trafficking operations, you should know that federal prison awaits you."
FHP attempted to pull over Booker in December 2023 for driving a rental car with too much tint, but when the trooper attempted the traffic stop, Booker then fled.
"Suddenly, the driver rapidly accelerated and swerved left towards the K-9 Trooper's vehicle who just arrived to assist with the traffic stop," the 2023 FHP report says. "The driver then swerved right into a Circle K gas station located at 7950 Pensacola Boulevard."
Booker then allegedly led troopers on a brief chase before he flipped his own car.
Following his arrest, Booker was charged in state court for fleeing law enforcement, possession of a machine gun and other drug related offenses. However, the Office of the State Attorney dropped those charges in February 2024 after he was federally indicted on the same charges.
"Had it not been for law enforcement's training and determination, this armed suspect would have undoubtedly wreaked havoc in Northwest Florida," said ATF Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. "We are proud of the partnerships we've built with Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Escambia County Sheriff's Office and our federal prosecutors."
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Pensacola man sentenced for machine gun, drug trafficking after chase
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