Driver Gets Jail, Probation for Pointing Gun at High Springs Teens

GAINESVILLE – A Newberry man has been sentenced to jail and probation after entering a plea in connection with an incident in which he pointed a handgun at two teenagers on Interstate 75, according to court records.

Robert Charles Reno III, 35, entered a plea of nolo contendere on March 5 to two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon stemming from a September 2025 encounter on I-75.

The charges relate to an incident on Sept. 7, 2025, when an Alachua County Sheriff’s deputy responded to the 388-mile marker on southbound Interstate 75, about two miles south of the Northwest 39^th Avenue exit. Two victims, ages 17 and 18 and both from High Springs, reported that a man driving alongside them pointed a handgun in their direction.

According to the investigation, both vehicles were traveling southbound in the left lane when the driver of the victims’ vehicle braked, prompting Reno to brake to avoid a collision. Reno then moved into the center lane, pulled alongside the victims’ vehicle and pointed a handgun at them. The driver of the victims’ vehicle accelerated away, telling deputies he feared Reno would shoot.

Under the plea agreement, each count carried a maximum possible sentence of up to 10 years in state prison.

Circuit Judge James Colaw sentenced Reno on March 5 to 30 days in the Alachua County Jail, with credit for six days already served, followed by three years of probation.

As part of the sentence, Reno must forfeit the firearm involved in the incident and complete an anger management course. While on probation, he is prohibited from excessive alcohol use and illegal drug use and must submit to random urine testing.

Reno turned himself in on March 10 to begin serving his sentence.

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