Ricardo Larrea, Straw Purchase Conspiracy, Indiana 2016

CHICAGO, IL – Ricardo Larrea, 27, of Whiting, Indiana, is facing federal charges after allegedly conspiring to illegally purchase 27 firearms in Indiana and deliver them to a resident of Chicago. The scheme, spanning from 2016 to 2019, highlights the persistent flow of guns across state lines fueling violence in major cities.

According to a federal indictment unsealed Wednesday in U.S. District Court, Larrea repeatedly purchased handguns and one shotgun from licensed dealers in Hammond, Indiana. Each time, he falsely certified on the required federal forms that he was the actual buyer. Prosecutors allege Larrea was acting on behalf of a Chicago resident who selected the firearms and provided the funds for their purchase.

The indictment details how Larrea, after completing the false paperwork and securing the weapons, then handed them over to the Chicago resident. This classic “straw purchase” tactic allows individuals prohibited from owning firearms to obtain them through intermediaries who have no intention of possessing the guns themselves. The arrangement effectively circumvents federal gun laws designed to keep weapons out of the hands of criminals.

Larrea was arraigned Wednesday before U.S. District Judge John F. Kness and entered a plea of not guilty. He is now charged with one count of conspiracy to knowingly make false statements in connection with the acquisition of a firearm. If convicted, Larrea faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison. A status hearing is scheduled for November 18, 2022.

U.S. Attorney John R. Lausch, Jr., announced the charges, emphasizing the ongoing efforts of the Department of Justice’s Chicago Firearms Trafficking Strike Force. This strike force, a collaborative effort between the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the ATF, and other law enforcement agencies, aims to disrupt the illegal flow of firearms and identify those responsible for supplying weapons used in violent crimes. The case also falls under the umbrella of Project Safe Neighborhoods, a program focused on holding firearm offenders accountable.

Kristen de Tineo, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Chicago Field Division of the ATF, confirmed the agency’s involvement. While an indictment is not proof of guilt, and Larrea is presumed innocent until proven otherwise, this case underscores the relentless efforts to stem the tide of illegal gun trafficking impacting Chicago and other cities nationwide. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Kavitha J. Babu and Jonathan L. Shih are handling the prosecution.

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