From supervised release to at least 15 years locked up for new drug, gun convictions

(As originally published with additional photos, Fri, November 10th 2023, 3:53 PM EST; local article here)

PENSACOLA, Fla. (TND) — A career criminal in Florida, who was on supervised release when he was last picked up, will be spending at least 15 more years behind bars.

On Thursday, a federal jury found Willie Frank Gordon guilty of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and cocaine, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Gordon’s latest arrest happened during a traffic stop. He was driving without a license on March 15, 2022.

Then, Escambia County sheriff’s deputies searched and the feds say they reported finding “a black backpack containing approximately 200 grams of methamphetamine, cocaine, and fentanyl, and associated drug paraphernalia, along with a loaded chambered pistol.”

That wasn’t all.

Deputies also said they found “a firearm holster in the glove box of the vehicle, three cell phones, and over $2,000 on Gordon’s person.”

Gordon, 41, said he didn’t know about the gun or the drugs but reportedly eventually admitted those items were his.

There was other evidence.

The feds said investigators found surveillance video of Gordon about 30 minutes before the traffic stop where he was seen “carrying the black backpack to a vehicle before driving away.”

Gordon’s criminal history includes convictions in six state felony cases and one federal felony case. That included a prior drug trafficking conviction and firearms convictions.

Plus, witnesses testified at Gordon’s trial that he had shot people, and that law enforcement had information he was connected to fentanyl overdoses in nearby Okaloosa County, Fla.

At the time of his traffic stop arrest, Gordon was on federal supervised release for his conviction of being a felon in possession of firearms and ammunition.

Sentencing is set for Feb. 14, and Gordon faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years in federal prison, with a maximum of life.