STOCKTON, CA – Julian Arellano-Taylor, 21, of Stockton, is headed to federal prison for nine years after peddling firearms – including untraceable “ghost guns” – and cocaine through his Instagram account. U.S. District Judge Dena Coggins handed down the sentence today, following a damning investigation that exposed Arellano-Taylor’s brazen operation.
According to court documents unsealed today, Arellano-Taylor advertised and sold illegal firearms on Instagram between May 3, 2023, and March 3, 2024. He wasn’t dealing in legal, registered weapons; authorities say the inventory included “ghost guns” – firearms assembled from parts and lacking serial numbers – specifically designed to mimic Glock pistols and AR-15-style rifles. These weapons are notoriously difficult to trace, making them a favorite of criminals looking to evade law enforcement.
The scheme unraveled when an undercover operative – a confidential informant – began purchasing weapons directly from Arellano-Taylor via Instagram. Over several months, the informant acquired a total of 11 firearms, providing concrete evidence of Arellano-Taylor’s illegal trafficking. Simultaneously, the investigation revealed Arellano-Taylor was also distributing cocaine, adding another serious charge to his growing rap sheet.
U.S. Attorney Eric Grant didn’t mince words, stating that the sentence sends a clear message: “Dealing firearms without a license and simultaneously trafficking narcotics will be met with the full force of federal law.” The case underscores the growing threat of online gun sales and the difficulty in tracking these weapons before they end up in the wrong hands. The proliferation of ghost guns, in particular, is a major concern for law enforcement officials nationwide.
The takedown was a collaborative effort, spearheaded by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Crucial assistance also came from local law enforcement agencies, including the Sacramento Police Department, the Lodi Police Department, the Stockton Police Department, the Sacramento County Sheriff’s Gang Suppression Unit, and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Justin Lee and Matthew De Moura successfully prosecuted the case.
This investigation fell under the umbrella of the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), a multi-agency initiative designed to dismantle the most dangerous criminal organizations operating in the United States. OCDETF utilizes an intelligence-driven, prosecutor-led approach to identify and disrupt these groups, and this case serves as a prime example of its effectiveness. More information on OCDETF can be found at Justice.gov/OCDETF.
Related Federal Cases
- Sacramento Con Man Gets 4+ Years for $1.1M Tax Heist · California
- SoCal Grifter Gets 5.5 Years for SBA Scam · California
- Tax Cheat Gets 18 Months for $1.2M Scam · Alabama
- Tax Cheat Gets 18 Months: $1.2M Scam · Alabama
- Tax Fixer Gets 18 Months for $1.2M Fraud Scheme · Alaska
Key Facts
- State: California
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Violent Crime|Drug Trafficking|Organized Crime|Weapons
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News