Federal Crackdown on Gun Trafficking Hits Rockford Mother
A 56-year-old Rockford woman, Jessica Barrera, has been sentenced to 32 months in federal prison for illegally purchasing firearms on behalf of her son, who was legally prohibited from owning guns. The sentencing is part of a broader federal initiative targeting straw purchases and illegal gun trafficking in Illinois.
The case was prosecuted under Project Safe Neighborhoods, a nationwide program aimed at reducing gun violence through coordinated law enforcement efforts. Officials said Barrera’s actions were not only illegal but also part of a disturbing pattern of firearm misuse facilitated by individuals willing to lie for others.
False Firearm Purchases for Her Son
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Illinois, Barrera made four separate firearm purchases across 2021 and 2022. In each instance, she falsely claimed to be the actual buyer, while the guns were actually intended for her 27-year-old son, Angel Barrera-Esteves…