Matthew L. Stephen Easton, Firearms Trafficking, Florida 2024

Orlando, FL - In a shocking case of gun trafficking, a federally licensed firearms dealer and two co-conspirators have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in a gun trafficking conspiracy. Matthew L. Stephen Easton, a 35-year-old from Melrose, was sentenced to 11 years and 8 months in federal prison for firearms trafficking.

According to the plea agreements, Easton supplied large quantities of firearms to Derick Yamir Perez Diaz, who was dealing in firearms without a license. Perez Diaz, in turn, trafficked those firearms to Ernesto Vazquez, who resold them to an individual who smuggled them out of the country.

Between October and December 2023, more than 100 Glock pistols and AK-47 rifles were trafficked, including those pictured above. Additionally, Vazquez and Perez Diaz admitted to trafficking machinegun conversion devices.

On April 18, 2024, agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives executed a search warrant at Vazquez's residence. Inside, they found multiple firearms, stockpiles of ammunition, and grenades.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the United States Postal Inspection Service, and Homeland Security Investigations. It was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Noah P. Dorman and Dana E. Hill.

This case is part of Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), a program bringing together all levels of law enforcement and the communities they serve to reduce violent crime and gun violence.

Easton, Perez Diaz, and Vazquez have been sentenced to federal prison for their roles in the gun trafficking conspiracy.

Defendant: Matthew L. Stephen Easton

Criminal Charges: Firearms Trafficking

City and State: Orlando, Florida

Date: April 18, 2024

Sentence: 11 years and 8 months in federal prison

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mdfl/pr/federally-licensed-firearms-dealer-and-two-conspirators-sentenced-federal-prison