Orlando Pair Sentenced For Straw Purchasing Rifles

Fort Myers, Florida – U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell today sentenced Jesmarilys Montesinos (22, Orlando) to one year in federal prison for making false statements relating to firearms purchases. On October 8, 2020, her co-defendant, Steven Usma (22, Orlando), was sentenced to three years and one month in federal prison for aiding and abetting the making of false statements relating to firearms purchases. Both had pleaded guilty earlier this year.    

According to court documents, in February 2018, Usma and Montesinos traveled together from Orlando to Fort Myers to attend a gun show. At the gun show, Montesinos purchased 12 rifles for Usma, at Usma’s request, after Usma had failed a background check when he attempted to buy firearms. At the time, Usma was prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms under Florida state law. In connection with her firearms purchases, Montesinos twice falsely certified that she was buying the rifles for herself, when she knew she was actually purchasing the firearms for Usma.        

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Simon R. Eth.