If you’ve spent any time digging into Florida’s public records lately, you might have noticed a name popping up in some pretty intense legal contexts: David Sutton. But here’s the thing. Florida is a massive state, and "David Sutton" isn’t exactly a unique name. Because of that, people often mix up several entirely different men, leading to a lot of confusion about who was actually arrested for what.
Honestly, the details are wild. We’re talking about everything from federal machine gun smuggling to decades-old murder cases and even a "sexual predator" designation that keeps one specific David S. Sutton on the state’s radar 24/7. It’s a lot to untangle.
The Machine Gun Case on the Waterfront
Back in 2015, a 55-year-old named David Robert Sutton found himself at the center of a federal investigation in Martin County. This wasn't your run-of-the-mill local arrest. This involved the ATF and Homeland Security.
Sutton was living on a boat docked at a marina. He apparently had a German contact mail him three lower receivers for Colt M16A1 automatic rifles. To dodge the law, he told the sender to label the package as "aluminum castings for use on boat." He even used a fake country of origin.
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Federal agents were already watching. When Sutton went to the marina office to pick up his package, an undercover ATF agent—posing as a marina employee—handed it over. He took it back to his boat, opened it, and was immediately swarmed by agents. He eventually pled guilty to possessing and importing unregistered machine guns. He faced up to ten years in prison for each count.
The David Q. Sutton II Case: A Life Behind Bars
Then there’s the case of David Q. Sutton II. This one is much older but still cycles through the Florida court system because of his constant appeals. In 2004, when he was just 20, he entered a plea for some very serious charges:
- Attempted first-degree felony murder
- Armed burglary of a dwelling
- Burglary of a structure
- Petit theft
He was sentenced to 50 years in prison, though 30 of those were suspended, followed by life probation. Since then, he has filed petition after petition, trying to argue that his prosecution was never legal. Most recently, the Florida Fifth District Court of Appeal basically told him to stop. They threatened sanctions if he kept filing what they called "frivolous" collateral attacks on his conviction.
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The Sexual Predator Registry: David S. Sutton
If you search the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) database today, the most prominent result is David S. Sutton, born in 1964. He is officially classified as a Sexual Predator.
This isn't just a label; it's a legal status with heavy requirements. Under the Florida Sexual Predators Act, he has to register his address, any vehicles he owns, and even if he lives on a "live-aboard vessel" or houseboat. The records show several aliases, including David Sheridan Sutton and David Suiton. His status is often listed as "Confined" or "Absconded" depending on the year, as he has cycled in and out of the system for various violations.
Distinguishing the "Other" David Suttons
It's kinda frustrating how names overlap. For instance, there is a David R. Sutton III who is a respected construction lawyer in Jacksonville. He has nothing to do with these arrests.
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Similarly, in late 2025, an 18-year-old named DaVon Sutton was arrested in Tallahassee for a shooting in Panama City Beach. People see "Sutton" and "Florida Arrest" and assume it's the same person they heard about years ago, but it’s a completely different generation and a different set of circumstances.
Why This Matters for You
Public records are a double-edged sword. They provide transparency, but they also require a bit of detective work to ensure you're looking at the right person. If you're looking up David Sutton arrests Florida because of a background check or out of neighborhood concern, you have to look at the birthdays.
- 1960s Birthdays: Usually refer to the registered sexual predator or the federal firearms collector.
- 1980s Birthdays: Often link back to David Q. Sutton II and his burglary/murder cases.
- 2000s Birthdays: Usually refer to more recent, unrelated arrests like the DaVon Sutton case or out-of-state incidents.
Basically, always verify the middle initial and the date of birth. In Florida, the "Sunshine Law" makes all this info public, but it doesn't make it easy to digest. If you are tracking a specific case, the best move is to use the Florida Department of Corrections (DOC) inmate search or the FDLE’s sexual offender registry. These sites provide photos, which are the only real way to know you’ve got your man.
To stay safe and informed, keep an eye on local sheriff’s office press releases—like those from Martin County or Gadsden County—where these specific arrests are usually detailed with more nuance than a simple search result can provide.