Harrisburg Man Convicted For Role In Straw Purchasing Firearms For Felons

HARRISBURG - The United States Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced Johnny Quinones, age 37, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was convicted on October 18, 2023, of straw purchasing a gun, possession of a firearm and ammunition as a felon, and conspiracy, after a bench trial before United States District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson.

According to United States Attorney Gerard M. Karam, Quinones conspired with three other individuals to purchase firearms for felons and persons under indictment. Quinones was prohibited by law from possessing a firearm because of his prior felony convictions.

On August 11, 2020, Harrisburg Police responded to a shooting victim in the City of Harrisburg where a victim was shot in the head. They eventually focused on Johnny Quinones, a felon. The investigation ultimately revealed that Taashaun Mansfield was buying guns for felons. Mansfield bought seven guns in a two-month period, and each time he lied on the forms about who was going to receive the guns. All of guns ended up in the possession of people prohibited by law from possessing the guns.

The following coconspirators pleaded guilty to weapons offenses and were sentenced:

• Taashaun Mansfield was sentenced to 37 months in prison;
• Michael Windham was sentenced to 46 months in prison; and
• Antonio Godbolt was sentenced to 33 months in prison.

The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in conjunction with the Harrisburg Bureau of Police.  Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael A. Consiglio and Richard Euliss are prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence, and to make our neighborhoods safer for everyone. On May 26, 2021, the Department launched a violent crime reduction strategy strengthening PSN based on these core principles: fostering trust and legitimacy in our communities, supporting community-based organizations that help prevent violence from occurring in the first place, setting focused and strategic enforcement priorities, and measuring the results.

All persons charged are presumed to be innocent unless and until found guilty in court.

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