The US Department of Justice recently published an official statement regarding a prison sentence for a Jacksonville resident who threatened a federal case witness: Jacksonville, Florida – Chief U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Jesse Lee McKenzie (43, Jacksonville) to 28 months in federal prison for threatening to retaliate against a witness in a federal case. McKenzie pleaded guilty on October 28, 2025. U.S. Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe made the announcement.
According to court documents, an associate of McKenzie was indicted for distribution of methamphetamine, a federal offense. In July 2025, McKenzie made a post to his Facebook page in which he identified a witness in that drug trafficking case, both by name and by posting a photo of the witness. In the same post, McKenzie stated the witness was a “snitch” and threatened physical harm, including that McKenzie would “wire that snitch box up” in retaliation for the witness’s involvement in the drug trafficking case. McKenzie also solicited information about the witness’s whereabouts by stating he would “tip” in exchange for information about the witness’s location.
This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kelli Swaney.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
