Local

Convicted Felon Dustin Neil Haas Pleads Guilty to Illegally Possessing Loaded 9mm Pistol

Dustin Haas, a felon, pleaded guilty to possessing a loaded 9mm pistol. He faces up to 15 years in prison.

byEditorial Staff

November 14, 2025, 3:09 PM

Rear view of a person secretly holding a black handgun behind their back, with their finger on the trigger.

A close-up of a person, likely a thief, secretly concealing a black handgun behind their back. By MDL.

Executive Summary

Dustin Neil Haas pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

A loaded 9mm pistol was discovered in Haas’s vest during a traffic stop, with Haas being legally prohibited from possessing firearms due to multiple prior felony convictions.

Haas faces a maximum of 15 years in federal prison, and the case was investigated by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the ATF as part of “Operation Take Back America.”

Laws and Precedent

Dustin Neil Haas pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a federal offense that prohibits individuals with prior felony convictions from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law, carrying a maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison.

A Clay County man, Dustin Neil Haas, 38, pleaded guilty today in federal court in Jacksonville, Florida, to possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Haas faces a maximum of 15 years in federal prison for illegally possessing a loaded 9mm pistol, which was discovered during a traffic stop earlier this year. A sentencing date has not yet been scheduled.

Details of the Arrest

According to court documents, Haas was initially pulled over by a Clay County Sheriff’s Office deputy on August 11, 2025. The deputy stopped Haas for driving a motorcycle without a tag and for operating a vehicle with a suspended license.

Discovery of the Firearm

During the traffic stop, the deputy observed a significant bulge in a vest Haas was wearing. A subsequent search of the vest revealed a black Bryco Jennings 9mm pistol, which was loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition. At the time of the incident, Haas had multiple prior felony convictions, which legally prohibited him from possessing firearms or ammunition under federal law.

Investigation and Prosecution

Haas was arrested on September 22, 2025, and has remained in detention since. The case was investigated collaboratively by the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) – Jacksonville Office. Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein is prosecuting the case, which is part of “Operation Take Back America,” a Department of Justice initiative targeting violent crime and transnational criminal organizations.

Next Steps

Haas is awaiting sentencing, where he could receive up to 15 years in federal prison. The court will also order the forfeiture of the Bryco Jennings 9mm pistol and the ammunition involved in the offense.