NEWARK, N.J. – Angelo Chavez, 23, of Manteca, California, is facing serious time after admitting today to a sprawling conspiracy to traffic firearms and methamphetamine through the dark corners of the internet. The case, cracked by federal agents, reveals a sophisticated operation that shipped illegal weapons and narcotics across state lines, fueled by cryptocurrency payments.
According to court documents and statements made during the plea, Chavez and his network of conspirators began operating in August 2020, advertising their illicit wares on a social media platform. Undercover law enforcement agents quickly made contact, initiating purchases that continued for over two years. Between August 2020 and December 2021, agents bought a total of 13 firearms from Chavez and his crew, including six AR-15 rifles. Disturbingly, two of those rifles were modified with auto sear switches – illegal devices that turn semi-automatic weapons into fully automatic machine guns.
The operation wasn’t limited to firearms. Agents also secured methamphetamine purchases from the group, highlighting the breadth of Chavez’s criminal enterprise. Payments for the drugs and guns were primarily made in cryptocurrency, a common tactic used to obscure the flow of funds in illegal online transactions. The contraband was then packaged and shipped from various addresses in California directly to locations within New Jersey.
The charges against Chavez are significant. He pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to unlawfully deal in firearms, a crime carrying a statutory maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. He also admitted to one count of conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, which carries a much steeper penalty – up to 20 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger praised the work of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, specifically Postal Inspector in Charge Christopher A. Nielsen of the Philadelphia Division, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), led by Special Agent in Charge Bryan Miller of the Newark Field Division. Their investigation was instrumental in bringing Chavez to justice. Assistant U.S. Attorney Vera Varshavsky is handling the prosecution.
Chavez is scheduled to be sentenced on December 21st. The case serves as a stark reminder of the challenges law enforcement faces in combating the growing threat of online criminal activity, and the lengths to which criminals will go to profit from the illegal trade of weapons and drugs. The full court document, Chavez.information (174 KB), is available for review.
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Drug Trafficking|Cybercrime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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