Angel Flores, Possession of Machine Gun Conversion Devices, New York 2022

BUFFALO, NY – Angel Flores, 34, of Buffalo, is facing serious federal charges after a shipment of illegal machine gun parts was intercepted at a Memphis FedEx facility. Flores is accused of conspiring to possess machine guns and smuggling the components into the United States, crimes that carry a maximum penalty of 20 years behind bars.

The bust unfolded on October 27th, 2022, when Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers flagged a suspicious package originating from China. The parcel was deceptively labeled as containing “plastic spring buckles used for clothes,” but a closer inspection revealed the presence of Machine Gun Conversion Devices (MCDs) – the very parts needed to turn ordinary firearms into fully automatic weapons. The shipment was addressed to a residence on Sweet Avenue in Buffalo and was quickly turned over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI).

Investigators determined that Angel Flores was the resident at the Sweet Avenue address. In a carefully orchestrated sting on November 9th, 2022, an HSI investigator delivered the package – now emptied of the illegal MCDs – to Flores’ doorstep. Flores promptly took possession of the parcel and brought it inside his home. He was immediately taken into custody by authorities.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeremiah E. Lenihan is prosecuting the case, and Flores made his initial appearance before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael J. Roemer, who ordered him detained pending further legal proceedings. The investigation was a joint effort between CBP, HSI, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with ATF Special Agent-in-Charge John B. DeVito leading the New York Field Division’s involvement.

The ATF, led by DeVito, has been increasingly focused on intercepting illegal weapon parts entering the country, particularly those originating from overseas. This case highlights the growing threat of readily available components that can transform legal firearms into dangerous, illegal machine guns. CBP’s Director of Field Operations, Rose Brophy, emphasized the agency’s commitment to preventing these dangerous items from reaching the streets.

It’s crucial to remember that an indictment is not a conviction. Flores is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. However, if convicted on these charges, he faces a lengthy prison sentence that could keep him locked up for two decades. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not ruled out the possibility of additional charges or suspects.

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