Contributed by Staff
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a significant development from the courtroom, Kenneth Ellis Wetherington, aged 60, will serve 14 months in federal prison upon conviction for possessing a firearm and ammunition as a felon. This major announcement came from John P. Heekin, the United States Attorney for Florida’s Northern District.
U.S. Attorney Heekin emphasized the importance of this sentencing, stating, “Removing weapons from the grasp of notorious criminals, such as this repeat offender, is vital for community safety. My office remains committed to zealously pursuing prosecutions of this nature, ensuring our citizens enjoy the protection and peace they rightly deserve.”
Initial Arrest Details
The arrest unfolded around 10:15 p.m. on November 21, 2025, when officers from the Gainesville Police Department arrived at a scene on NW 9th Terrace responding to a gunfire report. Eyewitnesses recounted that shots were discharged from a parking lot adjacent to 102 NW 9th Terrace, with one observer noting that Wetherington engaged in a heated dispute with an unidentified male before ultimately discharging a pistol.
Officers made contact with Wetherington at his apartment in the building where the shots were reported, and a witness said Wetherington had admitted that he had a gun during the argument and had fired several shots. Three .40 S&W Federal shell casings were reportedly found in the parking lot.
A search warrant for Wetherington’s apartment was obtained, and officers reportedly found a handgun loaded with six .40 S&W Federal rounds that matched the shell casings recovered outside.
An additional loaded magazine for the handgun was also reportedly found, along with a broken shotgun, 28 rounds of .40 S&W Federal ammunition, and 26 rounds of 12-gauge shotgun ammunition. Wetherington is not permitted to have any firearms or ammunition because he has eleven felony convictions, including a prior conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
“This sentence is a reminder that there are consequences for violating the law,” said Gainesville Police Chief Nelson Moya. “We will continue to work with our federal partners to hold those who illegally possess firearms accountable and help keep our community safe.”
The case involved an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Gainesville Police Department. 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.