In a significant legal development, William Blas Hernandez, a 28-year-old resident of Gainesville, Florida, has admitted to three serious federal charges. These charges include possession with the intent to distribute methamphetamine, carrying a firearm during a drug-trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The announcement came from John P. Heekin, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin praised the collaborative efforts of both state and federal law enforcement agencies in apprehending Hernandez. “Our law enforcement partners have done outstanding work in halting this serial felon’s activities,” Heekin stated. “The threat posed by individuals who continuously violate the law through drug distribution is substantial, and our office remains committed to prosecuting such offenders vigorously to protect our communities.”

Details of the Traffic Stop

The charges stemmed from a routine traffic stop on July 5, 2025, around 10 a.m. A Gainesville Police Department officer pulled over Hernandez’s vehicle for exceeding the speed limit, clocking him at 54 mph in a 45 mph zone along the 3800 block of NE 14th Street. When questioned about the presence of illegal substances or weapons, Hernandez briefly glanced at a gold backpack on the passenger-side floor but insisted there was nothing illicit in the car.

The officer, however, noticed a freshly rolled marijuana “blunt” in the driver’s side door pocket, prompting a probable cause search of the vehicle. Inside the gold backpack, authorities discovered a loaded 9mm pistol, which had been reported lost in Orlando. The search also uncovered 42 grams of pressed pills, 18.6 grams of methamphetamines, 2.1 grams of an unidentified purple powder, a digital scale, a collection of plastic baggies, and an ATM receipt linked to Hernandez’s bank account.

The officer reported that he saw a fresh marijuana “blunt” in the driver’s side door pocket, and a probable cause search of the vehicle produced a loaded 9mm pistol in the gold backpack; the pistol had been reported lost in Orlando. The backpack also held 42 grams of pressed pills, 18.6 grams of methamphetamines, 2.1 grams of an unknown purple powder in a baggie, a digital scale, a pack of plastic baggies, and an ATM receipt for a transaction on Hernandez’s bank account.

Post Miranda, Hernandez reportedly said the backpack was not his and he didn’t know about any of its contents. When asked if his fingerprints would be found on any of the contents, he reportedly said they would not because he hadn’t touched anything inside the backpack.

Later, Hernandez reportedly said the backpack and its contents were his. He reportedly said the pressed pills were MDMA, the crystalline powder was methamphetamine, and he did not know what the purple powder was. He reportedly said he was selling illegal narcotics because of financial and family struggles.

When the officer asked where he got the gun, Hernandez reportedly said he found it on the side of the road in Interlachen. The officer asked Hernandez if he knew he was a convicted felon and was not allowed to possess firearms, and Hernandez reportedly said he was aware of those things.

Hernandez faces a sentence of 10 years to life

Hernandez now faces a minimum of ten years and up to life in federal prison. Following his release, he will be on supervised release for at least four years.  

The case involved a joint investigation by the Gainesville Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Adam Hapner and James McCain.

Sentencing is scheduled for February 10, 2026, at 10:00 am in Gainesville, Florida, before Chief United States District Court 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.