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GAINESVILLE – A 27-year-old Hawthorne man has been indicted on multiple federal charges, including drug trafficking and unlawful possession of a firearm, following a July arrest during a traffic stop in Gainesville.

William Blas Hernandez was indicted by a federal grand jury for possession with intent to distribute five grams or more of methamphetamine, carrying a firearm during a drug trafficking offense, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, according to a July 25, 2025, news release from John P. Heekin, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

The indictment follows a July 5 traffic stop conducted by a Gainesville Police Department officer in the 3800 block of Northeast 14th Street. Hernandez was reportedly driving a silver Mercedes Benz traveling 54 mph in a 45-mph zone when the stop occurred.

According to the arrest report, Hernandez was unable to produce a valid driver’s license or vehicle registration and appeared visibly nervous. The officer also observed a fresh cannabis stem in the driver’s side door and initiated a probable cause search of the vehicle.

During the search, officers reportedly located a gold backpack on the passenger floorboard containing a loaded black Springfield Hellcat 9mm handgun, which had been reported lost by the Orlando Police Department. The backpack also reportedly contained 42 grams of pressed pills, 18.6 grams of methamphetamine, 2.1 grams of an unidentified purple powder, a digital scale, packaging materials, and an ATM receipt tied to Hernandez.

Post-Miranda, Hernandez initially denied ownership of the backpack but later admitted it was his. He reportedly identified the pills as MDMA and the crystalline substance as methamphetamine. He said he was unaware of the contents of the purple powder and stated he was selling narcotics due to financial hardship.

He also allegedly told officers he found the firearm on the side of the road in Interlachen and acknowledged he was aware that, as a convicted felon, he was prohibited from possessing a firearm.

According to federal authorities, Hernandez has a criminal history that includes at least eight felony convictions — two of them classified as violent — as well as multiple misdemeanor offenses. He has served three prison terms and was most recently released in January 2025 following convictions for burglary and drug possession in Alachua and Bradford counties.

The case was investigated by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Gainesville Police Department, with assistance from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys James A. McCain and Adam Hapner. If convicted, Hernandez faces up to life in prison.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, an indictment is a formal accusation by a grand jury and does not constitute evidence of guilt. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

The case is part of Operation Take Back America, a national Department of Justice initiative aimed at disrupting drug trafficking, dismantling transnational criminal organizations, and reducing violent crime through coordinated federal efforts.

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Email cwalker@

alachuatoday.com

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