Rochester Man Pleads Guilty To Gun Charge

CONTACT: Barbara Burns
PHONE: (716) 843-5817
FAX #: (716) 551-3051

ROCHESTER, N.Y. - U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Jesus Santiago, 29, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty, before U.S. District Judge David G. Larimer, to being a felon-in-possession of a firearm. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Cassie Kocher, who is handling the case, stated that on July 2, 2018, the defendant, in exchange for $1,200, sold a loaded 9mm handgun to an individual working with law enforcement officers. Santiago also admitted to participating in a similar illegal gun sale in May, 2018. In 2016, the defendant was convicted of Attempted Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree in Erie County Court, and as a result is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm or ammunition.   

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Rochester Police Department, under the direction of Chief La’Ron Singletary, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, under the direction of Special Agent-in-Charge John B. Devito, New York Field Division.

Sentencing is scheduled for December 17, 2019, at 3:00 p.m. before Judge Larimer.

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