Machine Gun Possession Lands San Anton Resident Behind Bars

A federal jury has convicted Jean Carlos Polaco-Hance of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition, including a machinegun, in a San Anton Ward in Carolina, Puerto Rico.

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Polaco-Hance unlawfully possessed a Glock pistol, model 32C, .357 caliber that had been modified so that it was capable of firing as a machine gun on September 10, 2020.

Agents from the Puerto Rico Police Bureau, Carolina Intelligence Unit were traveling on Saint Just Street in Carolina in an unmarked vehicle when they observed Polaco-Hance making a threatening gesture, reaching for a weapon. The officers returned to the auto-repair shop, dismounted their vehicle, and approached Polaco-Hance, who then ran from the scene and tossed a black bag over a fence.

The officers pursued Polaco-Hance, eventually placing him under arrest. A search of the bag revealed a Glock pistol, modified to fire in fully automatic mode, along with 5 magazines and a total of 111 rounds of .357 caliber ammunition, two cellphones, and $640.00 US dollars.

The case was investigated by the PRPB, FBI, and the Homeland Security Investigations (“HSI”) Computer Forensic Laboratory, which assisted in the investigation of the case. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Gottfried, Chief of the Violent Crimes and National Security Section and Assistant U.S. Attorney Carlos R. Cardona.

Polaco-Hance faces a sentence of up to 10 years of imprisonment for his crimes. The case highlights the ongoing efforts to combat firearms trafficking and possession in Puerto Rico.

The investigation and prosecution of this case were a collaborative effort between local and federal law enforcement agencies, demonstrating a commitment to keeping the community safe.