Albert Raul Franco, Lie and Buy, Nevada 2019

Albert Raul Franco, a 35-year-old Las Vegas felon, has been sentenced to three years in prison for his role in a “Lie and Buy” scheme that allowed him to illegally acquire 11 firearms.

According to court documents, Franco directed his co-defendant, Tiffany Henderson, to make false statements on federal firearms transaction documents during the purchase of the handguns at different Federal Firearms Licensee businesses. Henderson represented that she was the actual buyer of the firearms, when in fact these purchases were made on Franco’s behalf.

Franco, an admitted gang member and convicted felon, is prohibited from owning and possessing a firearm because of his prior convictions for multiple firearms and drug-related offenses and a conviction for assaulting a police officer.

The charges resulted from an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Assistant U.S. Attorney Simon Kung is prosecuting the case.

This case is part of Project Guardian, a signature initiative to reduce gun violence and enforce federal firearms laws. The initiative draws upon the past successful programs to reduce gun violence; enhances coordination of federal, state, local, and tribal authorities in investigating and prosecuting gun crimes; improves information-sharing by the ATF when a prohibited individual attempts to purchase a firearm and is denied by the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS); and ensures that federal resources are directed at the criminals posing the greatest threat to our communities.

U.S. Attorney Nicholas A. Trutanich stated, “Far too often, guns bought by straw purchasers end up in the hands of violent offenders and are recovered at crime scenes.” He added, “Together with the ATF, we will hold accountable individuals who lie on federal forms to buy guns illegally.”

In addition to his prison term, Franco was sentenced to three years of supervised release. Co-defendant Henderson previously pleaded guilty to five counts of illegal acquisition of a firearm and aiding and abetting. She is scheduled to be sentenced on June 23, 2020.

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