A Clay County man has pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to an announcement from United States Attorney Gregory W. Kehoe. Dustin Neil Haas, 38, faces up to 15 years in federal prison after admitting to the charge. He also faces forfeiture of a Bryco Jennings 9mm pistol and ammunition used in the offense. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.
Court documents state that on August 11, 2025, a deputy from the Clay County Sheriff’s Office stopped Haas while he was driving a motorcycle without a tag. The deputy determined that Haas was operating the vehicle with a suspended license. Upon approaching Haas, the deputy noticed a large bulge in his vest and conducted a search, which revealed a loaded black Bryco Jennings 9mm pistol containing 13 rounds of ammunition. At the time of the incident, Haas had multiple prior felony convictions that made it illegal for him to possess firearms or ammunition under federal law.
Law enforcement arrested Haas on September 22, 2025; he has remained detained since then.
The investigation was carried out by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives – Jacksonville Office. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein is prosecuting the case.
The prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America, described as “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.” The operation coordinates efforts from both Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN).
The press release notes that although this matter occurred earlier in 2025, its publication was delayed due to a government shutdown.
