Official Announcement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jesse Jay Perez, a 28-year-old resident of Morgan Hill, California, has been sentenced to three years in federal prison following his guilty plea for possession of ammunition as a convicted felon. This decision was publicized by John P. Heekin, the United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin remarked, “Ensuring the safety of our community and streets demands that we rigorously pursue offenders like this one. I commend the state and federal law enforcement for their exemplary investigative work on this case, and my office remains steadfast in its commitment to prosecuting such offenders to the fullest extent.”

Court documents reveal that on January 1, 2025, Perez was stopped for riding a bicycle without the required rear-facing red light, breaching a Florida State Statute. During the stop, authorities discovered Perez had an outstanding felony arrest warrant from California. Upon arrest and search, officers found 13 magazines, 380 rounds of ammunition, and components ready to assemble a “ghost gun” semi-automatic rifle in his backpack. Perez had a prior felony conviction in California related to the manufacture, distribution, sale, or transport of assault weapons.

This conviction and subsequent sentencing came as a result of a collaborative investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives along with the Gainesville Police Department. The case was handled by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner.

This prosecution is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide effort utilizing the full resources of the Department of Justice to combat illegal immigration, dismantle cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and safeguard communities from violent crime threats.