TUCSON, AZ – Javier Alejandro Ramos-Velderrain, 23, of Tucson, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced last week to 21 months for knowingly lying on a federal form to illegally obtain a high-powered rifle. U.S. District Judge Scott H. Rash handed down the sentence following a jury conviction on October 23, 2023, of Making a False Statement During the Purchase of a Firearm.
The case unfolded after a brazen attempt to smuggle weapons into Mexico. On November 4, 2020, Luis Manuel Bray-Vasquez, a U.S. Consulate employee, floored an SUV attempting to cross the border at the Mariposa Port of Entry in Nogales. Port officials stopped him, uncovering a cache of 15 firearms, including a devastating Barrett BMG .50 caliber rifle, stashed in a blue bag. Bray-Vasquez was later sentenced to 46 months in prison for smuggling.
Federal investigators – Homeland Security Investigations and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) – quickly turned their attention to the source of the illegal firearms. Tracing the 12 guns with serial numbers led them directly to Ramos-Velderrain. Records showed he purchased the Barrett .50 caliber rifle just 22 days before it surfaced in Bray-Vasquez’s vehicle from 2A Ballistic Solutions, a licensed firearms dealer.
The lie? Ramos-Velderrain deliberately provided a false address on the ATF Form 4473, the official Firearms Transaction Record he certified under penalty of perjury. This deception initially stalled the investigation, delaying agents’ ability to locate him. When confronted, Ramos-Velderrain claimed he’d sold the rifle for $7,000 through an online advertisement, but offered no credible details about the buyer or the transaction.
The Barrett BMG .50 caliber rifle is no ordinary weapon. It’s a highly powerful firearm, exceeding the capabilities of most civilian weapons, and capable of inflicting massive damage. Its presence in the hands of smugglers raises serious concerns about its intended use. This case highlights the lengths criminals will go to acquire these weapons and the importance of rigorous background checks and accurate record-keeping.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Serra M. Tsethlikai and Evan N. Wesley, of the District of Arizona, Tucson, secured the conviction and sentencing. The investigation was a joint effort between ATF, Homeland Security Investigations, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Angela W. Woolridge, also of the District of Arizona, handled the prosecution of Bray-Vasquez. The Grimy Times will continue to follow this case and report on efforts to stem the flow of illegal firearms across our borders.
Related Federal Cases
- Michael Tillman, Illegal Firearm Possession, Tucson AZ, 2023 · Arizona
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- Peryoun Newman, Firearm Trafficking, NV 2017 · Illinois
- Duraid Hussein, Stolen Firearm Possession, AZ 2018 · Oklahoma
- Brian Jesus Hernandez, Unlicensed Firearm Sales, Arizona 2024 · Virginia
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