In a recent development within the Clay County legal sphere, Anthony Rodriguez, Jr., aged 32 from Orange Park, has entered a guilty plea to the federal charge of possessing a firearm as a convicted felon, a decision that could result in up to a 15-year stint in federal prison alongside the forfeiture of his Glock pistol and corresponding ammunition, as per the U.S. Attorney's Office announcement.
On May 11, Rodriguez, who had hidden a Glock 43 9mm pistol in his clothing, tried to steal from a local store. The gun fell to the ground, revealing his armed status. When Clay County Sheriff’s deputies arrived, they found that Rodriguez had seven felony convictions, including two related to firearms. Law enforcement's proactive approach in this case involved the coordinated efforts of the Clay County Sheriff's Office and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives' Jacksonville Office, with Assistant United States Attorney Kevin C. Frein leading the prosecution as mentioned in the official release by the Department of Justice.
This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a national effort that combines federal, state, and local resources with community involvement to reduce violent crime. The Department of Justice highlighted strategies like building community trust, supporting violence prevention groups, focusing on enforcement, and monitoring results to address violence and improve trust in law enforcement.
