Convicted felon Paul Joseph Holdy, 39, of La Jolla, CA, was arrested today and charged with multiple federal drug- and gun-related offenses. According to the Department of Justice USAO in California, a long-term investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) revealed that Holdy had been trafficking heroin and firearms from his La Jolla residence.
Undercover agents conducted multiple controlled purchases of firearms and narcotics from Holdy, including 19 guns, such as short-barrel machine guns, assault rifles, and handguns. ATF records showed that Holdy lacked a Federal Firearms License, which is required to engage in the business of importing, manufacturing, or dealing in firearms.
During today’s arrest, investigators executed three search warrants and seized an additional machine gun and two gallons of suspected GHB. Holdy is scheduled to be arraigned before U.S. Magistrate Judge David H. Bartick at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow.
“Illegally manufacturing and brokering the sale of guns and drugs on the streets of San Diego poses a tremendous danger to our community,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Alana W. Robinson. “Prosecuting firearms offenses is a top priority for the U.S. Attorney’s Office, and we will continue our efforts to disrupt the availability of illegal guns in our city.”
Holdy faces a maximum sentence of twenty years in prison and a $1 million fine for drug charges, as well as ten years and a $250,000 fine for firearms charges.
This case is part of the ongoing efforts by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force (OCDETF), which brings together federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to identify, disrupt, dismantle, and prosecute high-level members of drug trafficking, weapons trafficking, and money laundering organizations.
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Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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