JACKSONVILLE, FL – Antonio Jose Melean Reyes, 29, of Jacksonville is facing a lengthy federal prison sentence after admitting to a two-pronged criminal enterprise: smuggling firearms to Venezuela and conspiring to murder two Jacksonville residents over a $60,000 debt. Reyes pleaded guilty this week to both smuggling firearms and conspiracy to use interstate commerce in the commission of a murder-for-hire, each charge carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years behind bars.
The scheme began to unravel in May 2021 when Reyes attempted to ship three firearms – a Glock 17 pistol and two Smith & Wesson M&P 15 rifles – concealed within a futon destined for Venezuela. A routine X-ray at a freight forwarding service flagged the hidden weapons, leading to their seizure by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents. Investigators discovered the Glock and one of the rifles had their serial numbers deliberately obliterated, a tactic often employed to mask the weapon’s origin. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) technicians painstakingly restored the serial numbers, tracing the firearms back to a Jacksonville source – Reyes.
While the initial gun smuggling attempt raised red flags, the full scope of Reyes’ criminal activity remained hidden until his arrest on unrelated state charges in August 2023. A subsequent search of Reyes’ cellphone revealed conversations detailing the firearms trafficking operation and, disturbingly, a plot to have two individuals murdered. According to investigators, Reyes and his co-conspirators spent weeks surveilling the intended victims, following them around Jacksonville, including to their homes, between July 12 and August 9, 2023.
The motive? A $60,000 debt. Reyes reportedly attempted to hire a hitman for $15,000 to settle the score, but federal agents intervened before any violence could occur. Agents from ATF, HSI, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection swooped in and arrested Reyes on a criminal complaint, effectively shutting down the murder plot. The investigation revealed Reyes wasn’t acting alone, though authorities have not yet released details about his co-conspirators.
“This case underscores the dangerous nexus between illegal firearms trafficking and violent crime,” stated a source within the ATF Tampa Field Division. “Reyes wasn’t just moving guns; he was actively plotting to take lives. Our agents, alongside our partners at HSI and CBP, worked tirelessly to dismantle this threat and bring him to justice.” Assistant U.S. Attorney Aakash Singh is prosecuting the case.
This prosecution is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program designed to reduce violent crime and gun violence by fostering collaboration between law enforcement and communities. The DOJ launched a strengthened PSN strategy in May 2021, emphasizing trust-building, community support, focused enforcement, and measurable results. A sentencing date for Reyes has not yet been set, but with two ten-year sentences looming, he’s likely facing a significant portion of his life behind bars.
Key Facts
- Agency: ATF
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Press Release
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