James C. Mobley, a 43-year-old resident of Gainesville, Florida, has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. The sentence was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “This sentence ensures that our community will be safer and sends a strong message that there are real and severe consequences for federal firearm offenses. Thanks to the outstanding work of our law enforcement partners, this armed felon has been called to account for his continued criminal conduct.”
Mobley was stopped by Gainesville Police Department officers on July 11, 2024. During the traffic stop, officers searched his vehicle and found a loaded revolver along with various narcotics. Mobley pleaded guilty on April 28, 2025, which was scheduled as the first day of his trial. He received an enhanced sentence as an armed career criminal due to multiple previous felony convictions related to serious drug offenses.
Chief Nelson Moya of the Gainesville Police Department commented: “We have zero tolerance for gun crimes in our community. My message to those who choose to bring guns and drugs to our streets – we will find you, and we will work with all our criminal justice partners to hold you accountable. Our community deserves safety.”
After serving his prison term, Mobley will be subject to five years of supervised release. The investigation involved both the Bureau of Alcohol Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Gainesville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Harley W. Ferguson and Adam Hapner prosecuted the case.
This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), a national initiative led by the Department of Justice that aims to address illegal immigration issues, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and reduce violent crime through collaboration between programs such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices serving under the direction of the Attorney General across the country as principal litigators for federal cases. Additional information about public court documents can be found at U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida website or at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
