Former US Army Sergeant Julian Prezas, 37, of San Antonio, Texas, was sentenced to 200 months in federal prison for his role in a straw purchasing scheme that involved firearms going to the Gulf Cartel.
On December 12, 2016, Prezas pleaded guilty to five counts of making a false statement during the purchase of firearms and one count of attempting to export into Mexico defense articles on the U.S. Munitions List without obtaining a license or written authorization.
According to court records, Prezas was the actual purchaser of over 40 assault rifles, even though his co-defendants, other former US Army soldiers, falsely indicated on their ATF form 4473 that they were buying the firearms at the time of purchase.
Prezas, who was in uniform and in a government vehicle, delivered the firearms to multiple individuals, one of whom was delivering them to members of the Gulf Cartel in Mexico.
In addition to his prison term, Prezas was ordered to pay a $600 special assessment and be placed on supervised release for a period of 3 years after completing his prison term.
Precas’ co-defendants, Thomas John Zamudio, Ricardo Esparza Salazar, and Christopher Brown, were sentenced to two years probation after they pleaded guilty to making a false statement during the acquisition of a firearm.
Stopping the flow of weapons illegally exported into Mexico is a top priority for Homeland Security Investigations, said Special Agent in Charge Shane Folden.
This sentence sends a strong message to weapons traffickers that law enforcement will work aggressively with our federal law enforcement partners to combat this egregious and dangerous criminal activity.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
ðŸâ€Â’ Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News