Mark Adams Prieto, Firearms Trafficking, Arizona 2024

Mark Adams Prieto, 58, of Prescott, Arizona, has been charged with serious crimes related to firearms trafficking. Prieto was indicted by a federal grand jury in Phoenix, Arizona, on January 1, 2024 on charges of Firearms Trafficking, Transfer of a Firearm for Use in a Hate Crime, and Possession of an Unregistered Firearm.

According to the indictment, between January 2024 and May 2024, Prieto had discussions with two individuals who were working with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to devise a plan to commit a mass shooting of African Americans and other minorities to incite a race war prior to the 2024 United States Presidential Election. The targeted event was a concert in Atlanta that was going to be held on May 14 and 15, 2024.

The indictment alleges that Prieto sold two rifles to one of the individuals, an AK-style rifle on February 25, 2024, and an AR-style rifle on March 24, 2024. Prieto was stopped by law enforcement driving east from Arizona through New Mexico along Interstate 40 on May 14, 2024 and was in possession of seven firearms. He was taken into federal custody.

During the search of Prieto’s residence, law enforcement found more firearms, including an unregistered short-barreled rifle. Each conviction for Firearms Trafficking and Transfer of Firearm for Use in a Hate Crime carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both. A conviction for Possession of an Unregistered Firearm carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a fine of $250,000, or both.

Prieto’s case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division, and the U.S. Department of Justice, National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section. The Phoenix Field Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation conducted the investigation with assistance from other agencies.

It is essential to note that an indictment is not a finding of guilt, and an individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.