Grimy Times — In a gritty plea deal that sent shockwaves through the Albuquerque criminal underworld, Anthony Lutz, 43, caved under the weight of evidence and pleaded guilty to dealing firearms without a license. According to court documents, Lutz’s illegal operation spanned from 2019 to 2023, with the 43-year-old selling dozens of guns for profit.
Lutz’s downfall began when Mexican police stumbled upon one of his rifles at a crime scene in 2022. The ATF was called in and quickly linked Lutz to 11 additional crime scene firearms — six in Albuquerque and six in Mexico. An investigation uncovered evidence of approximately 82 firearms purchased by Lutz, including 50 AR-15 models.
In his plea agreement, Lutz admitted to converting receivers into functional firearms and selling them online through platforms like JasonsGuns.com. The ATF’s investigation revealed that the defendant was a master at using the internet to perpetuate his illegal activities.
Today, Lutz faced the consequences of his actions. He pleaded guilty to one count of unlawfully dealing in firearms. The parties agreed to recommend a term of five years of probation and a fine of $30,000. Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Special Agent in Charge Brendan Iber of the ATF’s Phoenix Field Division announced the plea agreement.
This case was investigated by the ATF and prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Brittany DuChaussee. It is part of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), which identifies, disrupts, and dismantles high-level criminal organizations that threaten the United States. More information about OCDETF can be found at Justice.gov/OCDETF.
For those seeking more details on this case, a copy of the plea agreement can be viewed here.
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Key Facts
- State: New Mexico
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
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