Florida Felon Sentenced on Firearms Charges After Injuring Himself with Explosives in Backyard

Cover photo for illustrative purposes only. Photo by MONUSCO | Flickr

​A 32-year-old man from Jacksonville has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison for possession of firearms by a felon after injuring himself with explosives in his backyard, a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office of the Middle District of Florida states.

According to court documents, on November 25, 2023, emergency medical techs (EMTs), the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department (JFRD), and the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office (JSO) responded to a 911 call of shots fired at a residence along Rugby Road in Jacksonville.

Upon arrival, JFRD and EMTs encountered William Earl Union Jr., who had sustained what appeared to be penetration wounds near his chest and multiple injurites to his hands, including what appeared to be burns with a potential connection to explosives. EMTs promptly transported Union to the hospital to receive medical treatment.

JSO officers observed blood drops that trailed from the front porch of the home back to the center of the backyard. Officers entered the backyard to conduct a protective sweep of the area, following the blood trail to what appeared to be a blast site near a stone fire pit.

The JSO Hazardous Devices Unit examined the blast site and observed a single drywal screw partially submerged into the dirt. Officers also found two live 12-gauge shotgun shells on the ground. JSO detectives then secured a search warrant for the residence to search for explosive, firearms, and ammunition. Inside, JSO located 3 firearms, including a Taurus International pistol, a Smith and Wesson revolver, and a Mossberg shotgun.

Prior to November 25, 2023, the Middle District of Florida says Union has been convicted of several felony offenses, including aggravated battery on a law enforcement officer, aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a law enforcement officer, dealing in stolen property, burglary, grand theft auto, and possession of cocaine. Therefore, he is prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition under federal law.

Alongside the seven year prison sentence, Union was also ordered by the court to forfeit the Mossberg shotgun, Smith and Wesson revolver, and all related ammunition in accordance with the law.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Aakash Singh.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve in an effort to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make neighborhoods safer for everyone.

On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

Article by Rachael Volpe