Report from the Office of the U.S. Attorney for Northern Florida

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – A 28-year-old man, William Blas Hernandez, has been sentenced to 12 years behind bars following his guilty plea to charges of methamphetamine possession with the intent to distribute, carrying a firearm during a drug-related crime, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. This sentencing was announced by John P. Heekin, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin remarked, “This case marks another victory for Operation Take Back America, an initiative started under President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi. This operation harnesses the full power of the Department of Justice to eradicate violent, drug-trafficking criminals like Hernandez from our neighborhoods. Our goal is to ensure that the residents of the Northern District of Florida enjoy safe, drug-free environments, and my office is devoted to achieving this by pursuing these cases with vigor and aiming for the harshest penalties.”

Incident Originated from Routine Traffic Stop

On the morning of July 5, 2025, around 10 a.m., an officer from the Gainesville Police Department pulled over a vehicle driven by Hernandez. The stop occurred because Hernandez was driving at 54 mph in a 45 mph zone along the 3800 block of NE 14th Street. When inquired about the presence of illegal drugs or weapons, Hernandez glanced at a gold backpack on the passenger side floor and denied having any such items in the vehicle.

The officer noted a fresh marijuana “blunt” in the driver’s side door pocket, prompting a probable cause search. This search uncovered a loaded 9mm pistol inside the gold backpack, a firearm reported as lost in Orlando. Additionally, the backpack contained 42 grams of pressed pills, 18.6 grams of methamphetamine, 2.1 grams of an unidentified purple powder in a baggie, a digital scale, numerous plastic baggies, and an ATM receipt linked to 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.

Prison sentence will be followed by 10 years of probation

“Methamphetamine is capable of destroying families and ripping through communities,” said DEA Tampa Field Division Special Agent in Charge Daniel Escobar. “We will not stop until the flow of this poison has been removed from our streets.”

“We will not allow guns and drugs to corrupt our community. We will work with our federal partners to ensure that those who choose to engage in these activities are held accountable,” said Gainesville Police Chief Moya.

The defendant’s imprisonment will be followed by a 10-year term of supervised release, meaning if he violates any of the conditions of his supervision, he will potentially face additional prison time.

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

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.