Jonathan Manuel Flores has been sentenced to 135 months in federal prison following his involvement in an illegal firearms operation and the armed robbery of an undercover agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The incident occurred during a transaction for a machine gun that took a perilous turn.
The investigation by the ATF, lasting several months, centered on the trafficking of privately manufactured firearms, known as "ghost guns," and firearms modified with illegal auto conversion devices. These devices convert standard firearms into machine guns. Flores, instead of completing a sale, chose to rob the undercover agent during a planned gun purchase.
On February 17, 2023, in an undercover operation conducted in a San Diego parking lot, an ATF agent arranged to buy a Glock pistol equipped with a full auto conversion device, referred to as a "Glock Switch," for $2,400. Flores arranged for the transaction to occur in the backseat of his car, where two other individuals were present.
In this encounter, after the agent counted $2,000 in cash, Flores prepared the gun to fire and threatened the agent before taking the money. The agent exited the vehicle safely, and Flores, along with his associates, left the scene. He was captured later with assistance from the San Diego Police Department.
U.S. Attorney Adam Gordon commented on the incident, stating, "This robbery is a stark reminder of the extreme danger our agents face every day in their efforts to keep illegal firearms off our streets," expressing gratitude to law enforcement for their efforts. Kenny Cooper, ATF Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge, emphasized the importance of the partnership between federal, state, and local agencies, noting, "It is an honor to work with our state, local, and federal partners to successfully carry out our public safety mission."
The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Evangeline Dech and Alicia Williams. Flores faced charges including assault on a federal officer with a deadly weapon, which carries a maximum sentence of twenty years, and brandishing a firearm in furtherance of a crime of violence, which incurs a mandatory minimum sentence of seven years.
The investigation was part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime by fostering trust, supporting community efforts, and setting focused enforcement priorities.
