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Staff Report
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – In a recent court decision, Robert Charles Reno III, a 35-year-old resident of Newberry, received a sentence of 30 days in jail, followed by three years of probation. This verdict comes after Reno entered a plea of nolo contendere to charges of brandishing a firearm at two teenagers on Interstate 75.
Incident Details
The incident, which took place on September 7, 2025, prompted the response of an Alachua County Sheriff’s Deputy to the scene at the 388-mile marker on southbound I-75, approximately two miles south of the NW 39th Avenue exit. According to the victims, aged 17 and 18 from High Springs, Reno threatened them with a handgun while driving alongside their vehicle.
Investigations revealed that both vehicles were traveling in the left lane heading south when the driver of the teens’ car applied the brakes, forcing Reno to brake suddenly to avoid a collision. Following the abrupt stop, Reno maneuvered into the center lane, aligned his vehicle with the teens’, and allegedly pointed a handgun at them. Fearing for their safety, the driver of the teen’s car accelerated away, believing Reno might open fire.
Plea deal
On March 5, Reno entered a plea of nolo contendere to two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon; according to the plea agreement, the charges carry a maximum possible sentence of 10 years in state prison.
On the same date, Judge James Colaw sentenced Reno to 30 days in the Alachua County Jail with credit for six days’ served, followed by three years of probation. He is required to forfeit the firearm that was involved in the incident, and he has to attend and complete an anger management course. While on probation, Reno is required to abstain from the use of alcohol to excess or illegal drugs and must submit to random urine tests.
Reno turned himself in to begin serving his sentence last night.