Leonel Castillo, Unlawfully Dealing Firearms, Colorado 2023

DENVER – A Denver man has been sentenced to 30 months in prison for running an illegal firearms business on Facebook.

Leonel Castillo, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of Engaging in a Business of Dealing Firearms without a Federal Firearms License.

According to the plea agreement, between September 2022 and May 2023, Castillo operated a business utilizing Facebook to raffle items including firearms.

Castillo purchased firearms from federal firearms licensees or third-party private sellers. He then held interactive raffles on Facebook in which participants paid for the chance to win the firearms.

Castillo would then have federal firearms licensees transfer the firearms to the winners of the raffles, sometimes through straw transfers.

Castillo was a felon and prohibited from possessing firearms throughout the time he ran this business.

“Criminals who deal firearms illegally can’t escape consequences by using social media as their marketplace,” said United States Attorney Matt Kirsch.

The case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program aimed at reducing violent crime and gun violence.

United States District Court Judge Nina Y Wang presided over the sentencing.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms conducted the investigation.

Assistant United States Attorney Albert Buchman handled the prosecution.

Case Number: 23-cr-00326-NYW

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