Miguel Ochoa-Ruiz, Ammunition Smuggling, Arizona 2018

Ammunition trafficking has taken a hit in Arizona. Miguel Ochoa-Ruiz, 39, of Concord, Calif., was sentenced to 48 months' (4 years) imprisonment on May 25, 2018, by U.S. Senior District Judge Frank R. Zapata for smuggling goods from the United States and conspiracy. This follows a trial where Ochoa-Ruiz was found guilty.

Ochoa-Ruiz's co-defendant, Ana Guadalupe Carillo-Villa, 23, of Tucson, Ariz., had previously pleaded guilty to smuggling goods from the United States, conspiracy, and possession of ammunition by a convicted felon. She was also sentenced to a total of 48 months' imprisonment by U.S. Chief District Court Judge Raner C. Collins.

According to the investigation, on July 7, 2016, Ochoa-Ruiz purchased 2,000 rounds of rifle ammunition and 248 high-capacity rifle magazines in Phoenix. He and Carillo-Villa transported these items to Nogales, Ariz., where Carillo-Villa attempted to smuggle them across the border into Mexico. Customs and Border Protection officers stopped Carillo-Villa at the Port of Entry and intercepted the ammunition and magazines in her vehicle.

Ochoa-Ruiz returned to Phoenix the next day and purchased an additional 11,000 rounds of ammunition, which he again drove to Nogales in an attempt to smuggle it into Mexico. Law enforcement agents stopped Ochoa-Ruiz before he attempted to leave the United States and seized the ammunition. Evidence obtained in the subsequent investigation established that Ochoa-Ruiz and Carillo-Villa had conspired to smuggle ammunition into Mexico on at least four prior occasions.

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Department of Homeland Security - Homeland Security Investigations, with assistance from Customs and Border Protection, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives. The prosecution was handled by Angela W. Woolridge, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Tucson.

Miguel Ochoa-Ruiz's exact criminal charges include smuggling goods from the United States and conspiracy. He was sentenced in Tucson, Arizona on May 25, 2018, and received 48 months (4 years) imprisonment.

The investigation highlights the severe consequences of ammunition trafficking and the efforts of law enforcement to combat this crime.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-az/pr/california-man-and-tucson-woman-each-sentenced-4-years-prison-smuggling-ammunition-mexico