Christ’Avian X’Zayvia Rayshon Sheard, a 19-year-old from Pensacola, Florida, has been sentenced to 30 months in federal prison for possession of a firearm and ammunition as a convicted felon. The sentencing follows Sheard’s guilty plea and was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
Court records reveal that on April 2, 2024, Sheard was found with marijuana and a loaded Taurus 9 millimeter pistol while in a vehicle parked at Sanders Beach. At the time, he had previous felony convictions for aggravated assault by threat with a firearm and carrying a concealed firearm.
U.S. Attorney Heekin commented: “Operation Take Back America is a promise by President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi that we will do everything in our power to stop those who are victimizing our communities, and keeping a violent felon like this one off the streets is exactly what they meant. I am proud of the work of our brave state and federal law enforcement partners who investigated this case, and my office will continue to aggressively prosecute these offenders to keep our communities safe.”
Chief Randall of the Pensacola Police Department stated: “Pensacola Police is committed to reducing guns crimes and will continue to work with our federal law enforcement partners to hold everyone accountable that chooses to illegally possess a firearm in our city.”
The investigation was conducted jointly by the Pensacola Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Jessica S. Etherton prosecuted the case.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America, an initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration, dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators. The operation coordinates resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida is among 94 offices nationwide serving as principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General.
