Roger B. Handberg, U.S. Attorney | U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida
United States Attorney Roger B. Handberg has reported the outcomes of the first quarter of fiscal year 2025 under the Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) strategy. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida indicted 46 individuals on federal firearms, narcotics, and violent crime charges during this period, which concluded on December 31, 2024. Law enforcement also confiscated over 85 firearms linked to these cases.
The office participated in more than 30 community outreach events aimed at crime prevention and PSN awareness. Hundreds of students were engaged in these efforts, and prosecutors addressed over 100 recently released individuals at Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office DISMAS program and more than 50 inmates nearing release from Baker Re-Entry Center.
“My office is committed to working with our local, state, and federal law enforcement officers to combat violent crime,” stated U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg. He highlighted that his office increased violent crime and firearms cases in federal court by over 75% over the past three fiscal years, charging more than 750 defendants with firearms violations.
Project Safe Neighborhoods is a core component of the Department of Justice's strategy to reduce violent crime through collaboration among stakeholders to address significant issues in communities. It focuses on prevention, intervention through community engagement, strategic enforcement against violent offenders, and re-entry programs to lower recidivism rates.
Several notable cases were prosecuted as part of this initiative:
- JD Irons Jr., sentenced to 15 years for firearm possession as a felon.
- Jameise Vaughn Christian received a sentence of over 12 years for conspiracy related to robberies.
- Joshua Fries pleaded guilty to possessing unregistered weapons.
- Joshua Grant Cobb was sentenced to 25 years for drug trafficking and firearm possession.
- Francisco Cabrera received a 38-year sentence for multiple offenses including robbery and attempted murder.
These cases are being handled by Assistant United States Attorneys across five divisions within the Middle District of Florida.
