Julian Canastillo, Firearms Trafficking, Arizona 2025

Tucson Man Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Firearms Trafficking Offenses

A Tucson man has been sentenced to six years in prison for his role in a firearms trafficking organization based in the city.

Julian Canastillo, 23, of Tucson, was sentenced on April 15, 2025 by United States District Judge John C. Hinderaker to six years in prison, followed by three years of supervised release.

Canastillo previously pleaded guilty to six counts of Smuggling Goods from the United States and one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon.

According to court documents, Canastillo was the lead defendant in a 51-count indictment filed on September 15, 2022, charging 10 individuals involved in the firearms trafficking organization.

An investigation leading to the indictment revealed a series of transactions linked to the organization for firearms that were later seized in the Republic of Mexico.

In total, the Tucson-based organization is connected to more than 200 firearms transactions, and Canastillo alone admitted to smuggling 36 firearms into Mexico.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, and Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations conducted the investigation in this case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angela W. Woolridge, Craig H. Russell, and Matthew C. Cassell, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.

CASE NUMBER: CR-22-01857-001-TUC-JCH

RELEASE NUMBER: 2025-058_Canastillo

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