Federal Prosecutor References Trump and “Operation Take Back America” in Press Release on Local Man’s Sentencing

Federal prosecutor John P. Heekin referenced “Operation Take Back America” in a press release on Dovico "Vico" Miles’ sentencing published on Friday.

President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi launched the operation in March 2025 with the stated goal of “stopping illegal immigration, eliminating Cartels and Transnational Criminal Organizations, and ending illegal trafficking of dangerous drugs and human beings.”

On July 19, 2022, armed men broke into Miles’ home in an attempt to take drugs and money from him. During the home invasion, Miles’ niece, D’halani Armstrong, was killed by Alderious White. In the other room, Jason Ward held Miles and his lady-friend at gunpoint. 

Miles is a convicted felon and not allowed to possess a firearm; however, he had his own on the day of the murder, which he used to defend himself. Miles shot Ward and White; both survived and are serving respective sentences of three and five decades. The duo was driven by Tiara Luckie, who received 15 years of probation.

Gainesville Police Department (GPD) officers arrested Miles for possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and tampering with evidence for attempting to hide multiple firearms in his possession. 

GPD Detective Desiree Russano reported, “Post-Miranda Warning [Miles] stated that he took that 'chrome' topped gun he wrestled away from the home invader along with two other 'rusted' guns he had in and around his home and wrapped them in a black t-shirt. [Miles] stated he hid the guns wrapped in a black t-shirt in an overgrown area on the other side of his chain-link fence because he knew he could not possess a firearm as a convicted felon."

Miles initially told police he “wrestled” a gun away from Ward in an attempt to avoid further criminal culpability, but it came out during court that he had his own firearm during the incident.

Local prosecutors dropped Miles’ charges after he was placed under federal prosecution.

Last month, Patrick Owen Watson was found guilty of felony murder and sentenced to life in prison for arming White and Ward and soliciting them to commit the home invasion. The trial lasted six days and prosecutors called 29 witnesses, Miles being one.

During Miles’ testimony, he indicated that he pleaded guilty or no contest and was awaiting sentencing from Northern Florida District Chief Judge Allen Winsor. Miles said he did not have a negotiated sentence.  

Miles said he hoped Winsor may take his cooperation with prosecutors into consideration, but that it wasn’t his primary motive for testifying. Miles said his motive was to “get justice for my family and my niece, and myself as well.”

Miles said he and Watson knew each other in 2009 before linking back up in 2021 when he started dating his sister, Armstrong’s mother. Miles and Watson developed a business relationship where they would sell drugs together.  

At the trial, Miles said that after his sister and Watson had a falling out, he decided to keep his supply, giving Watson a motive to organize the home invasion.

Miles’ indictment states he sold cannabis, methamphetamine and crack cocaine. 

Miles was sentenced to 20 years in prison on charges of drug possession with intent to distribute, carrying a firearm in the furtherance of drug trafficking and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, with an added 30 months for violating federal supervised release.

After the court's ruling, Heeklin said in a press release, “This is yet another successful prosecution under Operation Take Back America, through which President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi have unleashed the full might of the Department of Justice to eliminate the threats to the safety of our communities by drug traffickers and violent felons, like this defendant. We will continue to aggressively pursue and prosecute anyone who peddles this poison on our streets.”

The press release received comment from GPD Chief Nelson Moya, who stated, “We have zero tolerance for violent crime and will work with all our partners to seek justice... Keeping our community safe from guns and drugs will always be a priority.”  

Kevin Bobbitt, a leading special agent with the Drug Enforcement Agency, called Miles a "poly-drug distributor" and said, “Methamphetamine can tear apart families and its impact on communities is immeasurable.”

Cheryl Harnell, a leading special agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, referred to Miles as a “violent drug dealer.” 

Miles' indictment references his prior felony convictions. The convictions include cocaine possession (1998), grand theft (1998), possessing a firearm by a delinquent (1998), dealing in stolen property (1998), cocaine possession (2000), cocaine possession with intent to distribute (2000), cocaine trafficking (2003), and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute five or more kilograms of cocaine (2008).

Ahead of his sentencing, Miles' loved ones sent letters to Winsor attesting to his character and asking for leniency.  

Eugene Johnson wrote that Miles has "consistently demonstrated love, care, and respect for others as well as for himself." Johnson wrote that Miles has deep roots within the community, along with his family and friends. Johnson described Miles as kind and selfless, saying he shows compassion and generosity to those around him. Johnson wrote that Miles' "presence has had a positive impact on his family and community, and his absence has been deeply felt. I respectfully ask that you consider this request for leniency and allow Mr. Miles the opportunity to heal, along with his family and friends, so that they may be whole again.”

Miles’ daughter wrote, “I have known my father my entire life, and I can attest to his character, integrity, and the positive impact he has had on my life and those around. My father has always been a dedicated and loving parent. When I was growing up, he always made time for me, whether it was helping with homework, attending my sports games, or simply being there to listen. He taught me the importance of hard work, honesty, and treating others with respect. He has been actively involved in our community. He is a man of strong moral character, and I have always admired his commitment to doing what is right, even when it is difficult. I understand the seriousness of the situation before the court, and I am not attempting to excuse any wrongdoing. However, I believe it is important for you to know the kind of person my father truly is. He is a good man who has made mistakes, but he is also someone who is capable of learning from those mistakes and becoming a better person.”

Heeklin announced the sentence but he wasn't the prosecutor on Miles' case.

Court records show that Christopher Elsey, the state prosecutor on Watson's murder trial, was also the federal prosecutor on Miles' case when he pleaded to his charges. Elsey stopped serving as the prosecutor on Miles' case one month after he signed the plea.