Williston man pleads guilty to federal firearm charge arising from traffic stop in Gainesville

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

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Michael Theondra Mozell, Jr., 32, of Williston, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: “Thanks to the outstanding work of the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office, with support from our federal law enforcement partners, this violent felon has been taken off our streets and will now find himself in federal prison. This is yet another successful prosecution by my office in fulfillment of the promise made by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi that we will Take Back America from the perpetrators of violent crime who have victimized and terrorized our streets for far too long.”

Court documents reflect that during the course of a traffic stop in Gainesville, a .25 caliber pistol, five grams of marijuana, and drug paraphernalia were seized from the defendant’s vehicle. The defendant is prohibited from possessing a firearm and ammunition as he has prior convictions for attempted robbery with a firearm or deadly weapon, aggravated assault with deadly weapon, and possession of cocaine.  

Mozell faces a total of up to 15 years’ imprisonment.   

The case involved a joint investigation by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Christie S. Utt.

Sentencing is scheduled for April 7, 2026, at 11:00 am, at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, Florida before Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor. 

This case is part of Operation Take Back America a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime, human and drug trafficking.