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Leader of Gun Trafficking Ring Pleads Guilty
PORTLAND, Ore.—A Mexican national residing in Portland pleaded guilty today for his leadership role in a conspiracy to illegally obtain high-powered semi-automatic rifles and high-grade firearms in and around the Portland area and smuggle them into Mexico for use by the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG).
David Acosta-Rosales, 51, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to make false statements in connection with the acquisition of firearms. He faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, and three years of supervised release. He will be sentenced on December 6, 2021 before U.S. District Court Judge Karin J. Immergut.
According to court documents, since at least September 2019, Acosta-Rosales served as the leader of a high-volume gun trafficking cell operating in the Portland area. In this role, Acosta-Rosales received orders and requests for high-powered semi-automatic rifles, high-grade firearms, and explosive devices from co-conspirators in Mexico affiliated with CJNG. Acosta-Rosales received hundreds of thousands of dollars to operate the scheme, recruited numerous straw purchasers to make illegal gun purchases, obliterated serial numbers on the guns, and organized the transfer and transportation of the guns from Oregon to Mexico. In total, the conspiracy involved the transfer of more than 100 guns to Mexico.
An indictment charging Acosta-Rosales and 10 associates with conspiracy, making false statements in connection with the acquisition of firearms, possessing and receiving firearms with obliterated serial numbers, and smuggling goods from the United States was returned by a federal grand jury in Portland on October 6, 2020.
As part of his plea agreement, Acosta-Rosales has agreed to forfeit any criminally-derived assets involved in the commission of his crimes identified by the government prior to sentencing. Seven of Acosta-Rosales’ co-conspirators have pleaded guilty and are awaiting sentencing. The remaining three are pending trial.
The case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon. Acting U.S. Attorney Scott Erik Asphaug made the announcement.
Key Facts
- State: Oregon
- Category: Weapons|Violent Crime|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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