Four Men Indicted on Firearms Charges

Today, Victor Fuentes, Jonathan Fuentes, Yan Bermudez, and Norbert Estevez were charged in an indictment with conspiring to deal firearms without a license, dealing in firearms without a license, and possessing stolen firearms. Victor Fuentes and Bermudez were additionally charged with possessing firearms as convicted felons, announced United States Attorney Zane David Memeger. The indictment alleges, among other things, that the above-named defendants conspired to deal the following firearms from on or about July 9, 2010, through on or about July 31, 2010: a Ruger .44 caliber pistol; a Smith & Wesson, 9 mm pistol; a Colt, .45 caliber pistol; a Ruger, .22 caliber pistol; a Ruger, .357 caliber pistol; and a Norinco, AK-47 SKS assault rifle.

INFORMATION REGARDING THE DEFENDANTS

Upon conviction, the defendants face the following maximum sentences: Victor Fuentes faces 30 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $400 special assessment. Jonathan Fuentes faces 20 years’ imprisonment, a $750,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $300 special assessment. Yan Bermudez faces 30 years’ imprisonment, a $1,000,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $400 special assessment. Norbert Estevez faces 20 years’ imprisonment, a $750,000 fine, three years of supervised release, and a $300 special assessment.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a federal initiative designed to identify and prosecute firearms offenders in federal court, where the defendant is likely to receive a substantial sentence upon conviction.

An indictment or information is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

This case was investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Pennsylvania State Attorney General’s Gun Violence Task Force. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Neuman Leverett.