DOJ Seal

Department of Justice

U.S. Attorney's Office
Middle District of Florida

For Immediate Release

Friday, July 29, 2016
A. Lee Bentley, III
, United States Attorney
Contact: William Daniels

Lehigh Acres Resident Charged with Firearms Offenses Related to Investigation of Club Blu Mass Shooting

Fort Myers, Florida – United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III announces the arrest and charging by criminal complaint of Jazmin Challana Barron (33, Lehigh Acres) with making false statements during the purchase of a firearm and making false statements in records kept by a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL). If convicted on all counts, she faces a maximum penalty of 10years in federal prison for making the false statement during the purchase of a firearm and 5 years’ imprisonment for making a false statement in records kept by a FFL. Barron made her initial appearance in federal court today and was released on a $25,000 bond.        

According to the complaint affidavit, on February 20, 2015, Barron purchased a MasterPiece Arms pistol (Model: MPA57SST; 5.7 caliber; SN: V9101) from Gunsmoke and Lead, a licensed federal firearms dealer, in Lehigh Acres, Florida. Barron completed an ATF Form 4473 as required to purchase the firearm; however, she provided a false address where she had not, and was not, residing at the time of the purchase.  The firearm was recovered by the Fort Myers Police Department near the scene of the mass shooting at the Club Blu Bar and Grill on July 25, 2016. 

A complaint is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed a violation of one or more federal criminal laws, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Fort Myers Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It will be prosecuted by Chief Assistant United States Attorney Jesus M. Casas.

This is another case prosecuted as a part of the Department of Justice’s “Project Safe Neighborhoods” Program - a nationwide, gun-violence reduction strategy.  United States Attorney A. Lee Bentley, III, along with Daryl R. McCrary, Special Agent in Charge, ATF, is coordinating the Project Safe Neighborhoods effort here in the Middle District of Florida in cooperation with federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. It is also a part of ATF’s Frontline strategy to reduce violent crime in our communities.

###

 

Tampa Field Division