Shoot-out, firearms offenses land Pensacola man in federal prison

PENSACOLA, Fla. – A Pensacola man involved in a shoot-out is headed to federal prison.

Mario Antwan Brewer, Jr., 29, of Pensacola, Florida, was sentenced to 17 ½ years in federal prison for firearms offenses after pleading guilty on December 17, 2021. The sentence was based upon two federal indictments stemming from violations of federal firearms laws in 2020 and 2021. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Our law enforcement partnerships play a vital role in fighting violent crime and protecting the public,” said Coody.

“This sentencing is another example that working jointly with our partners is making our communities safer.”

Court documents reflect that on December 28, 2020, a shoot-out took place between two vehicles at a gas station on the corner of Fairfield and North Davis Highway in Pensacola. Multiple discharged shell casings of 9-millimeter ammunition were left behind at the crime scene, which were collected as evidence by the Pensacola Police Department.

According to court documents, one of the involved vehicles was later found in Alabama and linked to Brewer. On January 28, 2021, Brewer was reportedly located at an apartment in Pensacola, along with multiple firearms. One of those firearms, a Smith & Wesson 9-millimeter pistol, ballistically matched the firearm that left behind the spent shell casings during the December 2020 shooting. That same firearm reportedly had Brewer’s DNA on it when seized.

Documents reflect that Brewer was again caught with a loaded firearm on August 27, 2021. This time, he was apprehended by the United States Marshals Service along with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and the Pensacola Police Department. Brewer was taken into federal custody at that time.

“Violent crime is impacting too many lives,” said Pensacola Police Chief Eric Randall.

“Today’s announcement of this sentencing is another example of our commitment to hold accountable those who commit violent acts in our community.”

The cases were investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, the United States Marshals Service, and the Pensacola Police Department. The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Jennifer H. Callahan.