Jesse Jay Perez, a 29-year-old resident of Naples, Florida, has pleaded guilty to the illegal possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. This plea was confirmed by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.
U.S. Attorney Heekin stated: “Thanks to the dedication of Gainesville Police Officers, this wanted fugitive is back where he belongs, behind bars. My office is committed to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who unlawfully possess weapons or ammunition and pose a risk to the safety and security of our fellow citizens.”
According to court documents, on January 1, 2025, officers from the Gainesville Police Department stopped Perez during a traffic incident and discovered there was an outstanding felony warrant for his arrest in California. At that time, Perez was found with a backpack containing a machete, a pellet rifle, a flare gun, 13 magazines, 380 rounds of various ammunition, and parts needed to construct a “ghost gun” assault rifle. Due to a previous felony conviction, Perez is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
Perez could face up to fifteen years in prison, three years of supervised release upon completion of his sentence, and fines reaching $250,000.
The investigation into this case involved both the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives as well as the Gainesville Police Department. Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner is leading the prosecution.
Sentencing for Perez is set for September 30 at 2:00 pm at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville before Chief United States District Judge Allen Winsor.
This case falls under Operation Take Back America—a national initiative aimed at countering illegal immigration and eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations while protecting communities from violent crime perpetrators. This operation utilizes resources from Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Florida functions as one of 94 offices nationwide directed by the Attorney General. Public court documents can be accessed online via the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida’s website. More information about this office can be found at http://www.justice.gov/usao/fln/index.html.
