BOZEMAN, MT – Cristyan Jose Gonzalez-Carrillo, 37, of Bozeman, Montana, has confessed to a brazen scheme: purchasing firearms in Montana and funneling them south of the border to individuals in Mexico. The guilty plea, entered before U.S. Magistrate Judge Kathleen L. DeSoto, unveils a pattern of illicit activity that directly arms dangerous cartels and exacerbates the flow of deadly drugs into the United States.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) investigation revealed that between February and May of 2020, Gonzalez-Carrillo systematically acquired approximately 31 handguns. A July 2020 raid on his residence unearthed a cache of firearms and ammunition, including semi-automatic pistols and AR-style rifles. Investigators discovered purchase receipts from multiple Montana gun stores, painting a clear picture of a deliberate and sustained buying spree.
But the trail didn’t end at the point of sale. Vehicle plate records exposed multiple border crossings at San Ysidro, California, between April and June 2020. The investigation further demonstrated Gonzalez-Carrillo wasn’t just stockpiling weapons; he was actively selling them. Evidence showed he advertised firearms for sale on WhatsApp, connecting with buyers in Mexico and facilitating the illegal transfer of lethal weaponry.
“Buying guns in Montana and taking them to Mexico to sell is illegal,” stated U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich for the District of Montana, underscoring the gravity of the offense. Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco echoed this sentiment, framing the case within the broader fight against gun violence and drug trafficking. “To win that battle, we must root out and prosecute those who traffic illegal firearms to Mexico,” she said, “where weapons end up in the hands of violent cartels that send deadly drugs back to the United States.”
ATF Director Steven Dettelbach emphasized the agency’s commitment to disrupting these illicit networks. “Preventing unlawful firearms trafficking is a top priority of the ATF,” Dettelbach stated. “Whether the unlawful trafficking is destined for a gang in the United States or a cartel in Mexico, we will work with our partners to stop it and hold accountable those who violate our nation’s firearms laws.”
Gonzalez-Carrillo now faces a potential sentence of up to 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. His sentencing is scheduled for February 15, 2024, before U.S. District Judge Dana L. Christensen. He remains detained pending further proceedings. Assistant U.S. Attorney Tara J. Elliott is leading the prosecution. The case is part of the Department of Justice’s Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence nationwide.
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