Panama City felon pleads guilty to unlawful gun possession (DOJ)

Tallahassee, Florida - Brian Earl Glass, 37, of Panama City, Florida, has pleaded guilty in federal court on a charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida announced the guilty plea.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said: "The safety of our communities is not negotiable, and we will not yield our streets to dangerous criminals who brazenly violate our laws. President Donald J. Trump and Attorney General Todd Blanche have made clear that we will commit the full might of the Department of Justice toward ensuring that no neighborhood is left behind in our pursuit of crime-free communities for our citizens."

According to court records, during the April 2026 search of a Panama City residence where the defendant was located, the defendant attempted to leave the residence in his vehicle but was detained. Prior to the defendant attempting to leave, investigators had observed a firearm inside the vehicle. The firearm and ammunition were seized. During questioning, the defendant admitted the firearm belonged to him. Records also show that the defendant had multiple prior felony convictions dating back to 2012, and he was therefore legally prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

Sentencing is scheduled for January 14, 2027, at 11:00am before United States District Court Judge Mark E. Walker in Tallahassee, Florida. Gainer faces enhanced penalties of up to 15 years' imprisonment.

The case was jointly investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Bay County Sheriff's Office, Panama City Beach Police Department, and Panama City Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Eric K. Mountin.

Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN) is the Department of Justice's nationwide initiative that brings federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement, prosecutors, and other public safety partners together to coordinate efforts to combat violent crime and make communities safe. Coordinated by U.S. Attorneys' offices in each of the 94 federal districts, PSN is tailored to particular communities to strategically address specific violent crime and public safety challenges. As a key component of Operation Take Back America, PSN serves a central role in the Department's commitment to make our country safe. PSN emphasizes three core principles: rapid federal response to violent crime and criminal offenders; strong, strategic partnerships among law enforcement at all levels; and accountability and deterrence through the prosecution of the most serious, readily provable offenses and other strategies. These efforts complement and strengthen President Trump's Homeland Security Task Forces, ensuring a comprehensive federal response to the most pressing public safety issues facing communities.

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida is one of 94 offices that serve as the nation's principal litigators under the direction of the Attorney General. To access public court documents online, please visit the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of FloridaLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. website. For more information about the United States Attorney's Office, Northern District of Florida, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndfl.