Florida
Federal Jury Secures Illegal Reentry Conviction in Tallahassee Against Bahamian National
A federal jury has secured an illegal reentry conviction in Tallahassee against a Bahamian national. The defendant has a long history of prior deportations and criminal offenses. Federal authorities announced the verdict following a swift one-day trial in the state’s…
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Key points
- A federal jury convicted Bahamian national Zeno Higgs of illegal reentry after a one-day trial in Tallahassee.
- Higgs has been deported from the United States five times and holds prior convictions for alien smuggling and battery on a law enforcement officer.
- Federal sentencing is scheduled for December 10, 2026, before Senior U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle.
NewsWK — A federal jury has secured an illegal reentry conviction in Tallahassee against a Bahamian national. The defendant has a long history of prior deportations and criminal offenses. Federal authorities announced the verdict following a swift one-day trial in the state’s capital.
Why it matters
This case highlights ongoing concerns regarding border security, immigration enforcement, and public safety across Northwest Florida. Therefore, local law enforcement officers often serve as the first line of defense against repeat immigration offenders.
Illegal Reentry Conviction Tallahassee: How the Case Unfolded
Specifically, a federal jury convicted 51-year-old Zeno Higgs of unlawful return. Indeed, federal agents had previously deported him five times. Subsequently, the Tallahassee Police Department and federal immigration officers arrested Higgs in September 2024. He now faces federal sentencing in December 2026.
The investigation originally began when local police responded to a disturbance at a Tallahassee convenience store. At the time, officers were investigating a reported theft and assault involving an individual in a wheelchair. At the scene, they identified Higgs. Consequently, this contact led to a joint Tallahassee police department ice arrest.
What is the criminal and deportation history of zeno higgs tallahassee?
In fact, federal records show a decades-long pattern of illegal entries and criminal convictions across Florida for the Bahamian national. For example, immigration authorities deported Higgs five times since 2014. Additionally, his record includes prior convictions for human smuggling and felony battery.
According to federal court documents, immigration authorities previously deported Higgs on these dates:
- July 9, 2014
- November 6, 2015
- June 14, 2016
- February 15, 2018
- April 18, 2024
Furthermore, his prior criminal record in Florida includes the following offenses:
- 2017: Conviction for bringing unauthorized aliens into the United States.
- 2022: Conviction for federal illegal reentry.
- 2023: Conviction for felony battery on a law enforcement officer in Broward County.
When will the federal court sentence the defendant?
Next, Senior U.S. District Judge Robert L. Hinkle will sentence Higgs on December 10, 2026. The hearing will take place at the federal courthouse in Tallahassee. Meanwhile, Assistant United States Attorney Jason R. Coody prosecuted the case following a joint local and federal investigation.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
Related: Immigration Enforcement Rules Near Schools Highlight Florida’s Anti-Sanctuary Standards
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