Johnny Quinones, 32, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, has been sentenced to 17.5 years in federal prison for his involvement in straw purchasing firearms and attempted murder. The sentence was handed down by United States District Judge Jennifer P. Wilson on October 29, 2025.
United States Attorney Brian D. Miller stated that Quinones conspired with three others to purchase firearms for felons and individuals under indictment. Due to previous felony convictions, Quinones was legally barred from possessing firearms. He was convicted on October 18, 2023, of straw purchasing a gun, possession of a firearm and ammunition as a felon, and conspiracy.
The case stems from an incident on August 11, 2020, when Harrisburg Police responded to a shooting in which the victim was shot in the head. The investigation led authorities to focus on Quinones. It was later discovered that Taashaun Mansfield had purchased seven guns over two months for people prohibited from owning them, falsifying information on purchase forms each time.
Three coconspirators also pleaded guilty to weapons offenses and received prison sentences: Taashaun Mansfield received 37 months; Michael Windham received 46 months; and Antonio Godbolt received 33 months.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives worked with the Harrisburg Bureau of Police in investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael A. Consiglio and Richard Euliss prosecuted the matter.
“This case is part of Operation Take Back America,” according to the press release. “Operation Take Back America is a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.” More information about this initiative can be found at https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline.
The announcement notes that while these events occurred earlier, public release was delayed due to a government shutdown.
