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Alejandro Montemayor, the 33-year-old owner of AV AZ Firearms in Phoenix, Arizona, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting straw purchasing and failing to report cash payments over $10,000. Between January 6, 2022, and May 29, 2024, Montemayor facilitated the straw purchase of at least 72 firearms, which were then transferred to other individuals. One notable instance occurred on May 22, 2024, when Montemayor helped an individual falsify a firearm purchase form, knowing the buyer was not the true purchaser.
Montemayor’s crimes also involved failing to file reports with the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network for sales exceeding $10,000. He admitted to failing to file 15 such reports between February 23, 2024, and May 14, 2024, totaling over $258,000 in proceeds. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives conducted the investigation, and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Ben Goldberg and Sheila Phillips are handling the prosecution.
Montemayor’s guilty plea comes with significant consequences. He faces up to 5 years in prison for aiding and abetting a false statement during the purchase of a firearm and up to 10 years in prison for failing to file forms related to cash received in trade or business. His sentencing is scheduled for August 17, 2026, before United States District Judge Susan M. Brnovich.
The case highlights the importance of preventing straw purchasing and ensuring compliance with financial reporting regulations. The ATF’s investigation and the U.S. Attorney’s Office’s prosecution demonstrate a commitment to combating firearms trafficking and related financial crimes.
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