Press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Florida

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Jesse Jay Perez, 29, of Naples, Florida, pled guilty in federal court to possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. The plea was announced by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida.

U.S. Attorney Heekin said, “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.”

Court documents reflect that on January 1, 2025, officers of the Gainesville Police Department encountered Perez during a traffic stop and determined there was a felony fugitive warrant for his arrest from the State of California. At the time of the stop, Perez was carrying a backpack that contained a machete, a pellet rifle, a flare gun, 13 magazines, 380 rounds of various ammunition, and all the component parts necessary to build a “ghost gun” assault rifle. Perez is prohibited from possessing any firearms or ammunition as a result of a prior felony conviction.

Perez faces up to fifteen years’ imprisonment, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.  

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Gainesville Police Department. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Adam Hapner.

Sentencing is scheduled for September 30, 2025, at 2:00 p.m. at the United States Courthouse in Gainesville before Chief United States District Judge Allen Winsor.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America ( 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).