An Altamonte Springs ma has been handed a three-year federal prison sentence for infractions pertaining to firearm sales documentation as a licensed dealer. Angel Ruben Hernandez, Jr., 75, who previously pled guilty on January 22, 2024, was the proprietor of Arms Hill LLC and responsible for maintaining the legal documentation as a Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) between 2019 and 2023, according to the United States Attorney's Office for the Middle District of Florida.
The investigation into Hernandez's activities began in 2022 following a tip-off to the FBI indicating involvement in illegal gun sales to known drug dealers and individuals with prior felony convictions. Falsified paperwork was also a part of the allegation, which as per the documents, Hernandez egregiously fabricated to cover up the unlawful distribution of firearms. Under the guise of legitimate transactions, court documents revealed that Hernandez sold nine firearms over a series of covert purchases to a source cooperating with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Acting upon a search warrant on May 19, 2023, ATF agents discovered pre-filled ATF Form 4473s, which are mandated for firearm purchases, falsely accounting sales to Hernandez's relatives. Around a quarter of Arms Hill's sales from 2019 to 2023—totaling over 260 firearms—were falsely recorded in a similar fashion, as divulged by the federal agency's inspection of Hernandez's records. The case, prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Dana E. Hill and Noah P. Dorman, showcases the deliberate attempt to circumvent laws designed to keep society safe from the proliferation of firearms to unverified hands.
In alignment with Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative dedicated to lowering violent crime and gun violence, this case represents a collective effort of law enforcement at multiple levels in partnership with the community. PSN focuses on fostering trust within communities, assisting organizations aiming to prevent violence proactively, and setting precise enforcement priorities. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the strategic premise of PSN has been revamped since May 26, 2021, to intensify the fight against violent crimes and bring about safer neighborhood environments.
