Byron Jones Jr., Making False Statement to Firearms Dealer, Florida 2023

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Byron Jones Jr., 34, of Jacksonville, Florida, has admitted to federal authorities he knowingly lied to purchase firearms, despite being a convicted felon. Jones pleaded guilty this week to making a false statement to a federally licensed firearms dealer, a crime that carries a potential five-year federal prison sentence.

The scheme unfolded at an Academy Sports and Outdoors store in Jacksonville. Court records show Jones attempted to buy two 9mm pistols, dutifully filling out the required ATF Form 4473. But when asked if he had any felony convictions, Jones checked ‘no.’ This was a blatant lie, as Jones had already been convicted of illegal drug possession in 2015 and carrying a concealed firearm in 2018.

The attempted purchase didn’t slip through the cracks. The FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) flagged the transaction. Every NICS denial isn’t just a data point; it’s reviewed by federal law enforcement, and in this case, triggered an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). It’s a system designed to keep guns out of the hands of those legally prohibited from owning them, but relies on honesty from buyers – and quick action from investigators when that honesty is absent.

“Making false statements to a firearms dealer is a serious offense,” said U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg, in a release. While the statement feels bureaucratic, the reality is Jones deliberately attempted to circumvent the law. Federal prosecutors are now preparing to seek the maximum penalty of five years in federal prison for Jones. Assistant United States Attorney Frank Talbot is leading the prosecution.

This case isn’t an isolated incident. It’s part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” (PSN), a nationwide initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence. PSN focuses on building trust within communities, supporting local violence prevention programs, and strategically targeting enforcement efforts. The program, recently bolstered by a violent crime reduction strategy launched in May 2021, emphasizes measurable results.

The ATF’s Tampa Field Division spearheaded the investigation. Jones’s next court date has not been announced, but he is expected to be sentenced in the coming months. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on the outcome. This prosecution serves as a warning: lying on a federal firearms form won’t pay, and will likely land you in a federal penitentiary.

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