Helmer Colón-Figueroa, Firearms Trafficking & Carjacking, Puerto Rico 2018

San Juan, Puerto Rico – A federal indictment charges three individuals with firearms trafficking and carjacking. If convicted, they face up to 25 years in prison. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is leading the prosecution.

According to the indictment, Helmer Colón-Figueroa, Erick Cotto-Romero, and Luis Estrada-Rivera are accused of conspiring to engage in firearms trafficking without a license. The object of the conspiracy was to purchase firearms in the State of Florida, transport them to Puerto Rico, and sell them to other individuals in Puerto Rico, for profit.

Helmer Colón-Figueroa is also facing charges for possession of a firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon. The defendants are facing a forfeiture allegation of nine pistols, seven rifles, and a money judgment of $47,300.

In an unrelated case, Puerto Rico Police Department officers arrested Adriel Carrasquillo-Carmona for carjacking. On Saturday, February 3, 2018, Carrasquillo-Carmona, with the intent to cause death or serious bodily harm, took a gray 1988 Oldsmobile Cutlass vehicle from the presence of a 70-year-old male victim, causing him serious bodily injury.

The defendant struck the victim in the head and body with a sledgehammer several times. The victim struggled with Carrasquillo-Carmona, who after beating him reached inside the victim’s pockets and took a cell phone, $800, and the vehicle. The defendant was arrested on February 4, and the FBI assumed jurisdiction.

“We will continue to work tirelessly with all the law enforcement agencies, federal and state, to fight the wave of crime that is alarming our communities in Puerto Rico,” said United States Attorney Rosa Emilia Rodríguez-Vélez.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Victor Acevedo-Hernández is in charge of the prosecution of the firearms case, and AUSA Marie Christine Amy is in charge of the prosecution of the carjacking case. Indictments contain only charges and are not evidence of guilt. Defendants are presumed to be innocent unless and until proven guilty.