Michael Theondra Mozell, Jr., a 32-year-old resident of Williston, Florida, was sentenced on Apr. 21 to 46 months in federal prison and three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement and the Department of Justice to address violent crime and illegal gun possession. U.S. Attorney John Heekin said: “With this successful prosecution, another dangerous criminal will be kept off our streets. President Donald J. Trump and Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche launched Operation Take Back America to deploy the full might of the Department of Justice toward protecting our communities from violent criminals, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute cases like this to deliver on that promise.”
Court documents show that Mozell was stopped by law enforcement in Gainesville, where officers found a .25 caliber pistol, five grams of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia in his vehicle. Due to previous felony convictions—including attempted robbery with a firearm or deadly weapon, aggravated assault with deadly weapon, and possession of cocaine—Mozell is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Alachua County Sheriff Chad Scott said: “This case is a testament to the skilled, proactive work of our deputies and the strong partnership we share with the U.S. Department of Justice. Through coordinated efforts, a repeat violent felon who once again chose to illegally possess a firearm has been held accountable and removed from our streets. This outcome reflects our unwavering commitment to public safety and ensuring that those who pose a continued threat to our community face meaningful consequences.”
The investigation involved cooperation between the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Assistant United States Attorney Christie S. Utt prosecuted the case.
Operation Take Back America is described as an initiative using all resources available within the Department of Justice against illegal immigration networks, cartels, transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and violent crime perpetrators.
The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida enforces federal laws across northern Florida's 23 counties—including Tallahassee—and works closely with other agencies through programs such as Project Safe Childhood according to its official website. The office also advances community safety by upholding civil rights standards according to its official website, operates out of courthouses in Tallahassee, Pensacola, and Gainesville according to its official website, defends national security interests according to its official website, prosecutes criminal violations on behalf of the United States according to its official website, collaborates through initiatives like Project Safe Childhood according to its official website, protects public funds according to its official website, covers both urban centers such as Tallahassee as well as rural areas including parts of Florida's Panhandle region according to its official website.
