A federal grand jury has indicted Jonny Contreras, 36, of Pike County, Pennsylvania, on a charge of possessing an unregistered firearm. The announcement was made by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania.
According to United States Attorney Brian D. Miller, the indictment alleges that Contreras possessed an AR-15 style rifle with a barrel shorter than 16 inches on or about January 14, 2025. The firearm was not registered to him in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record as required by law.
The investigation was 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 prosecution falls under Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), a national effort led by the Department of Justice that focuses on addressing illegal immigration, dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and reducing violent crime. The initiative brings together resources from programs such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
If convicted, Contreras faces up to ten years in prison, supervised release after imprisonment, and a fine. Sentencing will be determined by a judge who will consider federal statutes and sentencing guidelines.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized that indictments are only allegations: “All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.”
