Jury Finds Vining Guilty of Possession of Firearm by a Convicted Felon

State Attorney Melissa Nelson announces that a Duval County jury found Arnold Vining guilty of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. With the verdict, Vining faces up to 15 years in Florida State Prison. The Honorable Tatiana Salvador will sentence Vining at a later date.

On Sept. 27, 2023, an officer with the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office conducted a traffic stop on Vining on East 4th Street. A search in the database showed Vining — who was driving the car — did not have a valid driver’s license. The officer asked him to step out of the vehicle. An officer noticed a clear plastic baggie with drugs inside the car, so the officer detained Vining. During a search of the car, the officer recovered a 9mm handgun under the driver’s seat with 13 lives round with a magazine. Vining’s DNA was on the firearm, and he admitted to knowing the firearm was in the car. Vining is a previously convicted felon and is not legally allowed to possess a firearm. Vining was also cited for his other traffic violations at the time.

The case was investigated by the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by Assistant State Attorneys Christina Roldan and Carleshia Jimerson.