WILKES-BARRE — A man from Wilkes-Barre was sentenced in Luzerne County Court on Thursday for accepting cash and marijuana to buy guns for others. One of the guns was used in a murder.
Justin Jasire Otero, 25, of Puritan Lane, could have received restrictive probation, but President Judge Michael T. Vough instead sentenced him to nine-to-23 months at the county correctional facility for making false statements on firearm purchase applications.
Otero must also complete one-year probation and 30 hours of community service after his release from prison.
“You placed firearms in our community, leading to loss of life. This is not acceptable behavior,” Vough remarked.
Vough noted that Otero avoided a state prison sentence by cooperating with investigators and pleading guilty on Feb. 5.
An inquiry was launched by agents with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office and Luzerne County detectives after a Taurus 9mm, belonging to Otero, was found to be used in a homicide.
A check of records revealed that Otero bought a total of six handguns – four Taurus 9mm and two Springfield 9mm – in July and August 2021 from a licensed firearms dealer in Hazle Township.
During questioning by investigators, Otero admitted to using marijuana, acquiring at least six firearms for others, and receiving payment in marijuana and cash.
