SCRANTON — This is an official press release from the U.S. Department of Justice (USAO - Pennsylvania, Middle), published as received.
SCRANTON - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced that Jonny Contreras, age 36, of Pike County, Pennsylvania, was indicted by a federal grand jury on a charge of possession of an unregistered firearm.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that on or about January 14, 2025, Contreras possessed an AR-15 style rifle with a barrel of less than 16 inches in length that was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required by law.
The charges stem from an investigation conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (“ATF”) and the Pike County District Attorney’s Office. Assistant United States Attorney Tatum Wilson is prosecuting the case.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department’s Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The maximum penalty under federal law for this offense is 10 years’ imprisonment, a term of supervised release following imprisonment, and a fine. A sentence following a finding of guilt is imposed by the Judge after consideration of the applicable federal sentencing statutes and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines.
Indictments are only allegations. All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.
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