Felon Gambino Pleads Guilty to Guns, Fake War Hero Claims

Anthony Lee Gambino, 44, of Farmington, N.M., stood before a federal judge in Albuquerque today and admitted to wielding firearms while barred by law—and peddling a lie that he was a decorated combat veteran. The self-styled militia entrepreneur pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of multiple weapons and falsely claiming to have earned the Purple Heart and Marine Corps Combat Action Ribbon, federal prosecutors confirmed.

Gambino, owner of Gambino Security Safety Corp. based in Aztec, N.M., used tactical videos and photos to hawk his security services—depicting himself armed with rifles, holstered handguns, and military gear. In pitches to potential clients, he claimed he was a battle-tested veteran wounded in combat and decorated for valor. But court records show Gambino never saw combat and was, in fact, fraudulently enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps before being discharged. No military records support his claims of receiving the Purple Heart or Combat Action Ribbon.

The charade unraveled in May 2016 when Gambino was arrested on a criminal complaint charging him with possession of firearms as a convicted felon and lying about military honors. A federal grand jury returned an indictment on May 25, 2016, citing prior convictions for commercial burglary, failure to appear, and menacing with a deadly weapon—all of which legally barred him from owning guns. The charges stem from an incident on May 12, 2016, in San Juan County, N.M., where he was found with six firearms and multiple rounds of ammunition.

During his guilty plea, Gambino admitted to knowingly possessing the weapons despite his status as a prohibited person. He further confessed to fabricating his military record with the intent to gain money, credibility, and business advantages. His security firm’s marketing capitalized on the image of a hardened, battle-proven operator—none of which was true.

Now facing a maximum penalty of ten years in federal prison, Gambino awaits sentencing, which has not yet been scheduled. The case was jointly investigated by Homeland Security Investigations and the San Juan County Sheriff’s Office, underscoring the cross-jurisdictional scrutiny that followed his armed posturing and fraudulent claims.

Assistant U.S. Attorney George C. Kraehe is prosecuting the case. The conviction marks a rare dual accountability for both illegal firearms possession and stolen valor—sending a message that war stories forged in fraud carry real prison time.