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United States of America v. Esai Pastrana Cruz
Date: 07-25-2025
Case Number: 8:25-cr-00358
Judge: Virginia M. Hernandez Covington
Court: The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida (Hillsborough County)
Plaintiff's Attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Tampa
Defendant's Attorney:
Click Here For The Best Tampa, Florida Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory
Tampa, Florida criminal defense lawyer represented the Defendant charged with conspiring to make and making false statements to a firearms dealer
Puerto Rico Man Indicted For Straw-Purchasing Dozens Of Firearms On Behalf Of Others
A grand jury indictment charging Esai Pastrana Cruz (30, Puerto Rico) with conspiring to make and making false statements to a firearms dealer. If convicted, Pastrana Cruz faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison on the conspiracy count and up to 10 years on each substantive count. The indictment also notifies Pastrana Cruz that the United States intends to forfeit all firearms and ammunition involved in or used in the violation.
According to the indictment, between June 29, 2019, and December 22, 2023, while living within the Middle District of Florida, Pastrana Cruz purchased dozens of firearms on behalf of his co-conspirators. While making the purchases, Pastrana Cruz falsely represented to federally licensed firearms dealers that he was the actual buyer or transferee of the firearms.
An indictment is merely a formal charge that a defendant has committed one or more violations of federal criminal law, and every defendant is presumed innocent unless, and until, proven guilty.
This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. It will be prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Jeff Chang.
This case is part of Operation Take Back America, 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. Operation Take Back America streamlines efforts and resources from the Department's Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) and Project Safe Neighborhood (PSN).
If convicted, Pastrana Cruz faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison on the conspiracy count and up to 10 years on each substantive count
About This Case
What was the outcome of United States of America v. Esai Pastrana Cruz?
The outcome was: If convicted, Pastrana Cruz faces a maximum penalty of 5 years in federal prison on the conspiracy count and up to 10 years on each substantive count
Which court heard United States of America v. Esai Pastrana Cruz?
This case was heard in The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida (Hillsborough County), FL. The presiding judge was Virginia M. Hernandez Covington.
Who were the attorneys in United States of America v. Esai Pastrana Cruz?
Plaintiff's attorney: The United States Attorney’s Office in Tampa. Defendant's attorney: Click Here For The Best Tampa, Florida Criminal Defense Law Lawyer Directory.
When was United States of America v. Esai Pastrana Cruz decided?
This case was decided on July 25, 2025.