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Seven Charged in Straw Purchasing Scheme
A group of seven individuals, including Mario Lara, Oralia Carrizales, Geovanny Garcia, Darryl Fox, Gavino Trujillo, Guadalupe Corona, and a defendant who remains at large, have been federally charged in connection with a straw purchasing scheme that allegedly involved the purchase of over 100 firearms trafficked to Mexico.
According to court documents, the defendants purchased guns from federally licensed firearms dealers on behalf of Jose Carlos Rivas-Chiarez, who disassembled the firearms, concealed them inside plastic and towels, and smuggled them to Mexico, either concealed inside tires or through the mail.
U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Texas Leigha Simonton announced the charges, stating, ‘In June, I met with Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco and five border state U.S. Attorneys to discuss Operation Southbound, the Justice Department’s signature initiative to disrupt the flow of guns across the U.S. / Mexico border. This case represents our district’s commitment to hold accountable anyone involved in smuggling guns into Mexico.’
ATF Dallas Field Division Special Agent in Charge Jeffrey C. Boshek II added, ‘The people involved in the trafficking of weapons live amongst you and me. If you suspect someone of illegally running guns, please contact ATF.’
Mr. Rivas and his girlfriend, Ana Francisco-Sotelo, were previously charged and pleaded guilty in October 2022 to making false statements during the purchase of a firearm. Mr. Rivas also pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance and was sentenced to 32 years in federal prison.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, & Explosives’ Dallas Field Division conducted the investigation with the assistance of Homeland Security Investigation’s Dallas Field Office and the Arlington Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Levi Thomas is prosecuting the case.
If convicted, the defendants face up to 10 years in federal prison. A complaint is merely an allegation of criminal conduct, not evidence. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Key Facts
- State: Texas
- Category: Violent Crime|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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