TAMPA, FL – Jose Jaime Morado Zepeda, 28, is headed to federal prison after being sentenced to three years and six months for illegally possessing a cache of firearms and ammunition. The case, which originated with a simple DUI stop, reveals a pattern of disregard for U.S. law and a clear danger to public safety.
On June 27, 2023, a Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office deputy pulled over Morado Zepeda on suspicion of driving under the influence. What began as a traffic stop quickly escalated when deputies discovered a frightening arsenal in the bed of his truck: two Colt MK IV 45 caliber pistols, a Riley Defense Inc. RAK47 7.62x39mm caliber rifle, a Romarm/Cugir GP WASR-10/63 7.62x39mm caliber rifle, a Winchester 94AE 30-30 caliber rifle, and a substantial amount of ammunition.
Further investigation by Homeland Security Investigations and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement revealed that Morado Zepeda is a citizen of Mexico with no legal status to be in the United States. He admitted to federal agents during an interview on July 14, 2023, that he knowingly purchased and possessed the firearms despite his illegal presence in the country.
U.S. District Judge Richard A. Lazzara handed down the 3.5-year sentence on Wednesday, February 28, 2024, following Morado Zepeda’s guilty plea on November 15, 2023. The sentence sends a message that illegally acquiring and possessing firearms while violating immigration laws will not be tolerated.
The investigation was a collaborative effort between Homeland Security Investigations Sarasota, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, and the North Port Police. The case was prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Karyna Valdes, who successfully argued for a substantial prison term.
This case highlights the ongoing challenges of illegal firearms trafficking and the intersection of immigration violations and criminal activity. While the ATF focuses on tracing the origins of these weapons, the larger question remains: how did an individual without legal standing in the U.S. manage to acquire such a dangerous collection of firearms? The Grimy Times will continue to follow this story and investigate the potential loopholes that allowed Morado Zepeda to arm himself.
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