DeLand Band Sentenced for Gun Smuggling Cartels

ORLANDO, FL – A major victory against firearms trafficking was announced today as six men from DeLand, Florida faced federal prison sentences for their roles in a conspiracy to supply Mexican drug cartels with military-grade weapons.

The defendants included Angel Velazquez Delgado (34), Jesus Hernandez (32), Edgar Jimenez (30), Jesus Paulino (27), Jonathan Borja (23), and Jesus Andres (28). They were sentenced for charges ranging from straw purchasing to making false statements on firearm transaction records. The sentences ranged from one year, six months to nine years.

The ring, led by Velazquez Delgado, was uncovered in May 2023 during an investigation by the ATF. They purchased high-caliber, armor-piercing firearms like Barrett .50 caliber rifles and FN M249S machineguns for resale to Mexican drug cartels.

Law enforcement officials recovered at least one of the trafficked firearms in a shootout with suspected members of the Cártel de Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG) in Mexico. A Barrett rifle purchased by Hernandez was found at the scene, marking an important breakthrough in the investigation.

The successful dismantlement of this Central Florida-based organization is a significant win for public safety in both the United States and Mexico, said Tampa Field Division’s Special Agent in Charge Kirk Howard. U.S. Attorney Kehoe emphasized that his office will continue to prioritize investigations into violent crime, ensuring those who threaten public safety are held accountable.

This case was a joint effort by multiple agencies, including ATF, Homeland Security Investigations, DEA, US Customs and Border Protection, the Volusia Bureau of Investigations, and the DeLand Police Department. Assistant United States Attorneys Rachel Lyons and Noah Dorman prosecuted the case as part of Project Safe Neighbors.

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