Florida
Peter Guiseppe Stefani Pleads Guilty to Federal Gun Charge in Northern District Court
Gainesville, Florida – Peter Guiseppe Stefani, 25, of Levy County, Florida, pleaded guilty in federal court to one count of possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney…
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Key points
- Peter Guiseppe Stefani, 25, pleaded guilty in federal court to possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon.
- Levy County deputies found a loaded .45 caliber handgun on Stefani during a July 2026 arrest for a probation violation.
- Stefani, who has four prior felony convictions, faces up to 15 years in prison at his January 2027 sentencing.
NewsWK — Federal prosecutors in the Northern District of Florida announced a conviction involving a repeat offender carrying a firearm on his hip. Peter Guiseppe Stefani, 25, of Levy County, entered a guilty plea in Federal Court. He formally admitted to illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. United States Attorney John P. Heekin announced the guilty plea on November 4, 2026.
What caused the Levy County felon firearm plea?
Specifically, the conviction stems from a July 9, 2026 police stop at a local gas station. A Levy County Sheriff’s deputy stopped and detained Stefani because he had an active arrest warrant for a probation violation. While placing Stefani under arrest, the deputy discovered a fully loaded .45 caliber handgun attached to his hip. Consequently, deputies seized the loaded firearm and placed him into custody.
When will sentencing occur in Gainesville Federal Court?
Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor scheduled the formal sentencing for January 26, 2027, at 11:30 a.m. In addition, the hearing will take place at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville, Florida. Stefani faces a potential maximum penalty of 15 years in federal prison for the charge. Meanwhile, Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner continues to prosecute the case on behalf of the federal government.
How does Northern District of Florida news reflect public safety efforts?
This prosecution demonstrates ongoing joint operations aimed at reducing violent crime across North Florida communities. Also, court records show Stefani accumulated four separate felony convictions prior to this arrest. Because federal statute prohibits convicted felons from possessing weapons, local and federal agencies coordinated their response. The Levy County Sheriff’s Office investigated the incident alongside the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Furthermore, authorities filed the charge under the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods initiative.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
