Gainesville man sentenced to federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon

Press release from U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Ethan Etienne Anderson, 44, of Gainesville, Florida was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison, after previously pleading guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by Jason R. Coody, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

“Our law enforcement partners play a vital role in fighting crime and protecting the public,” said U.S. Attorney Coody. “Due to their swift action, a habitual felon who discharged a firearm during a heated argument is back where he belongs, behind bars. His incarceration will not only make the community safer but also illustrate the real and severe consequences for federal firearm offenses.”

On February 28, 2023, the Gainesville Police Department responded to reports of an armed disturbance. Officers learned that a subject, later identified as Anderson, possessed and discharged a firearm during an argument with others. Anderson was subsequently located inside a nearby residence. A search of the residence revealed a firearm containing Anderson’s DNA. Anderson later admitted to possessing and discharging the firearm.

Read Alachua Chronicle’s article about Anderson’s arrest.

“The FBI is committed to safeguarding our communities from violent crime,” said FBI Jacksonville Special Agent in Charge Kristin Rehler. “This sentencing should serve as a message that we will continue to join forces with our law enforcement partners and use all tools available to tackle the issue of gun violence in our neighborhoods and ensure those who commit violent acts are punished to the full extent of the law.”

Anderson’s prison sentence will be followed by 3 years of supervised release.

This case was investigated by the Gainesville Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistant United States Attorney Harley W. Ferguson prosecuted the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

As part of its PSN strategy, the United States Attorney’s Office is encouraging everyone to lock their car doors, particularly at night. Burglaries from unlocked automobiles are a significant source of guns for criminals in the Northern District of Florida. Please do your part and protect yourself by locking your car doors.