Aunyis Cherry, Gun Possession, Florida 2022

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – Aunyis Cherry, 27, of Clearwater, Florida, is headed to federal prison for more than two decades after a St. Petersburg traffic stop turned into a high-stakes chase and ultimately exposed his illegal possession of a loaded handgun. U.S. District Judge Katherine Kimball Mizelle handed down a 22-year and 11-month sentence, followed by five years of supervised release, on Monday, November 28, 2022.

The bust stemmed from an incident on 14th Street South, where Cherry was driving a vehicle sporting a counterfeit license plate. When a St. Petersburg Police detective attempted a traffic stop, Cherry bolted from the car. He didn’t get far. Apprehended at the scene, the vehicle yielded a loaded FN Herstal pistol during a subsequent search. Investigators couldn’t identify the car’s registered owner, but they quickly connected Cherry to the weapon.

Evidence presented at the June 16, 2022, trial was damning. Forensic analysis revealed Cherry’s DNA on the firearm in three distinct locations: the handle, the trigger, and elsewhere on the weapon. This, combined with Cherry’s prior felony conviction, made his possession of the gun a clear violation of federal law. The prosecution, led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Mike Gordon, Craig Gestring, Samantha Beckman, and James Preston, successfully argued that Cherry knowingly broke the law.

The investigation was a joint effort between the St. Petersburg Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Federal authorities have been cracking down on illegal gun possession, particularly among repeat offenders. Cherry’s case highlights the consequences of choosing to arm oneself despite a criminal record. In addition to the lengthy prison term, Cherry has been ordered to forfeit the firearm used in the commission of the crime.

Federal prosecutors framed the case as part of “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a broad initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and local communities. The Department of Justice launched a strengthened PSN strategy in May 2021, focusing on building trust, supporting community organizations, and strategically prioritizing enforcement efforts.

This sentencing sends a clear message: those who illegally possess firearms, especially those with prior convictions, will face serious federal penalties. Cherry’s 22-year sentence underscores the commitment of both the ATF and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida to keeping dangerous weapons off the streets of St. Petersburg and beyond. The Tampa Field Division of the ATF played a key role in bringing this case to a successful conclusion.

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