Jason Harris, a 43-year-old resident of Palm Coast, has been sentenced to two years and four months in federal prison. The sentence was handed down by Chief U.S. District Judge Marcia Morales Howard for making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer during an attempted firearm purchase. Harris pleaded guilty on April 10, 2024.

Court documents reveal that on May 22, 2023, Harris tried to buy a .22 caliber pistol from a gun store in Bunnell. At the time of the attempted purchase, he had several prior felony convictions including robbery, felony battery, and sale of cocaine. Despite these convictions, Harris falsely claimed on an ATF Form 4473 that he was not a convicted felon. Under federal law, individuals with such convictions are prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.

The case was identified through the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), which reports all denials to federal law enforcement for potential prosecution. Making false statements to firearms dealers 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.

This prosecution falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative 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 trust within communities, supporting violence prevention organizations, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.