Campbell Slayden, Firearms Law Violations, Colorado 2025

DENVER - In a shocking turn of events, Campbell Slayden, 26, co-owner of Modern Arms & Optics LLC, was sentenced to 50 months in federal prison for his role in a string of firearms law violations.

According to court documents, Slayden and his business partner, Anthony Gallegos, engaged in deceptive acts to hide information and mislead authorities into their business practices. The duo, which operated a federal firearms licensee and dealer, conducted business at a residence on Raleigh St. in Denver and numerous gun shows in Colorado.

The investigation, led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), revealed that Slayden and Gallegos transferred firearms to individuals not legally allowed to own them through a practice known as 'straw purchasing.' A straw purchase occurs when the transferee or buyer who undergoes the background check and completes the necessary federal forms is not the true transferee or buyer.

In this case, Slayden and Gallegos allowed federal background check forms to be filled out privately and out of view, allowing straw purchasers to supply false and fraudulent misrepresentations regarding the true purchasers of the firearm.

The investigation also led to federal convictions against others who committed their own firearms crimes facilitated by Modern Arms & Optics, including Aurianna Aguilar, Leonel Castillo, Jacob Cohen, Glory Goodrich-Devere, and Dario Sanchez.

'Gun shop owners and dealers have a crucial role in ensuring that firearms do not fall into the hands of criminals,' said Acting United States Attorney J. Bishop Grewell. 'That role is to follow federal firearms laws. If they do not, we will prosecute them.'

Campbell Slayden, Real full name: Campbell Slayden, Exact criminal charges: Conspiracy to defraud the United States and possession of an unregistered firearm, City and state: Denver, Colorado, Exact date: March 11, 2025, Sentence or outcome: 50 months in federal prison.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-co/pr/modern-arms-optics-co-owners-and-federal-firearms-licensees-sentenced-federal-prison