A traffic stop in Gainesville has culminated in a federal conviction for 55-year-old Dean Allen Harper, who pleaded guilty this week to possessing an unregistered and unmarked firearm silencer. The case, announced by U.S. Attorney John P. Heekin, centers on a November 21, 2025, incident where law enforcement discovered a significant cache of weapons and drugs inside Harper’s vehicle.
During the initial stop, officers found Harper in possession of two rifles, two pistols, and a collection of high-capacity magazines. Among the ammunition seized were several armor-piercing rounds.
Most notably, investigators identified a homemade suppressor attached to one of the pistols.
The device was constructed from an automotive oil filter fastened to the gun via a threaded aftermarket barrel attachment. Because the device lacked a serial number and was not recorded in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, it fell under the illegal classification of an unregistered firearm.
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Beyond the weaponry, court documents reveal that the vehicle also contained quantities of methamphetamine and various items of drug paraphernalia. The investigation was a joint effort between the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) and the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office.
“I deeply appreciate the excellent investigative work of our state and federal law enforcement partners to remove dangerous, armed criminals from our streets,” U.S. Attorney Heekin stated. He noted that the prosecution is a component of “Operation Take Back America,” a Department of Justice initiative aimed at curbing violent crime and dismantling criminal organizations.
Harper now faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $10,000.
Chief United States District Judge Allen C. Winsor is scheduled to hand down the sentence on June 16, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at the federal courthouse in Gainesville. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner is leading the prosecution for the government.
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