Chief U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard has sentenced Jason Harris, a 43-year-old resident of Palm Coast, to two years and four months in federal prison. Harris was found guilty of making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer during an attempted firearm purchase. The sentence follows his guilty plea entered on April 10, 2024.
Court records indicate that on May 22, 2023, Harris tried to buy a .22 caliber pistol from a gun store located in Bunnell. At the time of the attempted purchase, Harris had prior felony convictions for robbery, felony battery, and sale of cocaine. He falsely claimed on an ATF Form 4473 that he was not a convicted felon. Federal law prohibits individuals with felony convictions from possessing firearms or ammunition.
This case was identified through the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), which reports all denials to federal law enforcement for daily review and potential prosecution. Making false statements when purchasing a firearm is considered a felony offense under federal law.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation into this case. Assistant United States Attorney Frank Talbot prosecuted it.
The prosecution is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The Department's strategy launched on May 26, 2021, focuses on building community trust and legitimacy while supporting organizations that prevent violence.