HARRISBURG, PA – Jason Robles, 43, of Harrisburg, is headed to federal prison for 65 months after pleading guilty to possessing ammunition as a convicted felon. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Court Judge Jennifer P. Wilson, also includes three years of supervised release and $100 in financial penalties. Robles’s run from the law didn’t end with a traffic stop, it exposed a dangerous cocktail of drugs and illegal weaponry.
The case unfolded in August 2021 when a Pennsylvania State Trooper spotted Robles speeding on I-81 in Cumberland County. What followed was a reckless high-speed chase, with Robles clocking speeds up to 115 mph and brazenly crossing into oncoming traffic. The trooper finally brought Robles to a halt, and the bust revealed more than just a lead foot. Investigators found heroin, marijuana, and crack cocaine, along with a loaded, unserialized “ghost gun” – a .9mm Polymer handgun – containing 15 rounds of ammunition.
This wasn’t Robles’s first brush with the law. Records show he was already a prohibited person, saddled with prior felony drug convictions from both 2002 at the federal level and 2021 at the state level. These convictions legally barred him from owning or possessing firearms and ammunition, a fact Robles clearly disregarded. The discovery of the ghost gun adds another layer of concern, highlighting the growing problem of untraceable firearms flooding the streets.
U.S. Attorney Gerard M. Karam emphasized that this case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a broad initiative aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and local communities. The PSN program, recently bolstered by a new violent crime reduction strategy, focuses on building trust, supporting community organizations, and strategically targeting enforcement efforts.
The investigation was a joint effort between the Pennsylvania State Police and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bruce D. Brandler and Paul J. Miovas – the latter formerly with the office – secured the conviction and subsequent sentencing. The case serves as a stark reminder that possessing firearms and ammunition while already a convicted felon carries severe consequences.
Robles’s case is another example of the revolving door of crime plaguing Pennsylvania’s highways and streets. While 65 months may offer temporary relief, the underlying issues of drug trafficking and illegal gun possession remain a persistent threat. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and others like it, shining a light on the dark corners of federal crime.
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