Staff report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a significant crackdown on illegal gun possession, Robert Anthony Yancy, Jr., aged 25, has been sentenced to a two-year term in federal prison. This decision comes after Yancy was found guilty of possessing a firearm despite having a previous felony conviction. The sentencing announcement was made by John P. Heekin, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida, underscoring the commitment to enforce strict gun laws.
U.S. Attorney Heekin emphasized the importance of community safety, declaring, “The safety of our communities is not negotiable, and we will not yield control of our streets to serial felons, like this defendant, who have amply demonstrated their outright refusal to follow the law. My office will aggressively prosecute these cases to deliver the safe, crime-free streets our citizens deserve.” In these stern words, Heekin reiterated his pledge to maintain order and security.
Original arrest
The chain of events leading to Yancy’s arrest began on January 2, 2026, during what appeared to be a routine traffic stop. His vehicle was pulled over due to malfunctioning taillights and tag lights. An officer from the Alachua County Sheriff’s Department reported detecting the smell of marijuana, leading to the discovery of marijuana remnants visible on the center console. This observation prompted a search of the vehicle which uncovered a handgun concealed in a bag behind the passenger seat. During the encounter, Yancy reportedly acknowledged his status as a felon and admitted he was aware he should not possess a firearm, explaining that he was in the midst of moving to a new apartment. These admissions played a critical role in his conviction.
Upon his release, Yancy will be subject to three years’ supervised release.
The case involved a joint investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner prosecuted the case.
Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice’s nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys’ offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department’s commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump’s Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.