Israel Torres, a 35-year-old Phoenix man with two prior felony convictions for aggravated DUI, is headed to federal prison for 41 months after being caught with 10 firearms — including loaded assault rifles — scattered openly through his home. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge James A. Teilborg, includes three years of supervised release following incarceration.
Torres pleaded guilty to being a felon in possession of a firearm, a charge that carries enhanced penalties due to his criminal history. Under federal law, individuals convicted of certain felonies are prohibited from owning or possessing guns or ammunition. Despite that, Torres not only stockpiled weapons — he flaunted them.
Federal agents first took notice after the FBI uncovered social media posts made by Torres on a website tied to a group he founded called BQG. In the images, Torres posed with multiple firearms and participated in what appeared to be paramilitary training exercises. Even more alarming: his online rhetoric called for armed resistance against the U.S. government and law enforcement agencies.
On February 17, 2017, the FBI executed a federal search warrant at Torres’s Phoenix residence. Inside, agents found 10 firearms — several loaded — along with dozens of rounds of ammunition. None of the weapons were secured in a safe; they were visible and accessible, posing a clear danger to the public.
The investigation was conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, underscoring the federal interest in violent extremists and unlawful gun possession. Prosecution was led by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Lisa E. Jennis and Jonathan Hornok of the District of Arizona, who emphasized the threat Torres posed given his criminal record and ideological extremism.
Case Number: CR-17-00265-PHX-JAT. Release Number: 2018-015_Torres. Torres’s conviction is a stark reminder: when felons arm themselves and preach violence, federal justice follows — fast and hard.
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