Related Federal Cases
- United States v Six Firearms, Firearms Forfeiture, Arizona 2024 · Nevada
- Marquez Jeter, Unlawful Firearms Trafficking, California 2019 · Washington
- Shawn Saesee, Firearms Trafficking, California 2023 · Alabama
- Six Firearms Face Forfeiture in Arizona Bust · Texas
- Juan Hernandez, Selling Firearms to Minors, Arizona 2023 · Indiana
Firearms Trafficking Ring Leader Sentenced to 6 Years in Prison
Tucson, AZ – In a major blow to firearms traffickers, Julian Canastillo, 23, was sentenced to six years in prison for his role in a massive firearms trafficking organization based in Tucson, Arizona.
According to court documents, Canastillo, the lead defendant, pleaded guilty to six counts of Smuggling Goods from the United States and one count of Possession of a Firearm by a Convicted Felon. The indictment, filed on September 15, 2022, charged 10 individuals involved in the organization.
An investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, and Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations revealed a series of transactions linked to the organization for firearms that were later seized in the Republic of Mexico. The Tucson-based organization is connected to more than 200 firearms transactions, with Canastillo alone admitting to smuggling 36 firearms into Mexico.
U.S. District Judge John C. Hinderaker handed down the sentence on April 15, 2025, also ordering Canastillo to serve three years of supervised release after his prison term. The prosecution was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Angela W. Woolridge, Craig H. Russell, and Matthew C. Cassell, District of Arizona, Tucson.
Canastillo’s crimes have far-reaching implications for public safety, highlighting the need for continued efforts to combat firearms trafficking. The case serves as a reminder that those involved in such activities will face serious consequences.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, will continue to work tirelessly to disrupt and dismantle firearms trafficking organizations, bringing those responsible to justice and keeping our communities safer.
For more information on this case and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/ or follow them on Twitter @USAO_AZ.
Key Facts
- State: Arizona
- Category: Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
