An Alabama man was sentenced to life in federal prison for cyberstalking, interstate domestic violence, and the fatal shooting of a Pensacola woman, federal prosecutors announced.

Charles Carson-Dowdy, 31, received the life sentence in federal court after being convicted of cyberstalking, interstate domestic violence, murder through the use of a firearm, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The charges stemmed from the early 2025 death of Starmichael L. Tucker.

U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida John P. Heekin announced the sentencing.

“My heart goes out to the victim’s family members and friends, who were robbed of Ms. Tucker’s presence in their lives by the depraved actions of this violent thug,” Heekin said. “We cannot lessen the profound sadness caused by Ms. Tucker’s murder, but thanks to this aggressive prosecution by my office that secured a life sentence for Carson-Dowdy’s heinous crimes, we can guarantee that this criminal will spend the rest of his pathetic life locked behind bars where he belongs.”

According to court records, Carson-Dowdy and Tucker started dating around October 2024. During their relationship, Carson-Dowdy used cellphones, the internet, and a ridesharing service to harass and intimidate Tucker.

Tensions escalated in late December 2024 while Tucker was visiting family in California for the holidays, leading to a series of arguments over text messages. On January 1, 2025, while traveling back to Florida, Tucker tried to end the relationship via text.

In response, Carson-Dowdy took an Uber from Mobile to Tucker’s apartment in Pensacola to confront her. As a convicted felon, Carson-Dowdy was legally barred from having a gun or ammunition, but he brought a loaded Taurus handgun and an extra magazine on the trip across state lines.

Court records state Carson-Dowdy let himself into Tucker’s home without her permission. When Tucker arrived back at the apartment, she found him waiting inside.

Around 8:00 p.m. on January 2, 2025, Tucker walked out of the apartment. Carson-Dowdy followed her into the parking lot and shot her in the back. After she collapsed, he walked over to where she lay and shot her roughly 10 more times at close range.

Carson-Dowdy then got into Tucker’s parked vehicle and drove over her body. He reversed over her a second time, drove forward over her a third time, and then fled the complex in her car. Tucker died from the injuries.

Officers later tracked Carson-Dowdy to Spanish Fort, Alabama, where they arrested him inside Tucker’s car. Police found the Taurus handgun inside the vehicle.

“This defendant’s actions took an innocent life and devastated a family,” said ATF Tampa Field Division Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. “Today’s sentence holds him accountable and hopefully, helps the victim’s family take one step toward closure.”

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives investigated the case alongside the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the State Attorney’s Office, and the Spanish Fort Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorneys David L. Goldberg and Jordane New handled the prosecution.