Victor Alfonso Apodaca Aguilar, Alien in Possession of a Firearm, Arizona 2023

PHOENIX, AZ – A Phoenix residence became the focus of a federal investigation this year, leading to the sentencing of three Mexican nationals for possessing illegal firearms, including a privately made “ghost gun.” The case highlights the ongoing struggle to keep weapons out of the hands of individuals prohibited from owning them, and the increasing prevalence of untraceable firearms on the streets.

Victor Alfonso Apodaca Aguilar, 22, of Mexico, received a 12-month prison sentence followed by three years of supervised release after pleading guilty to Alien in Possession of a Firearm. U.S. District Judge Douglas L. Rayes handed down the sentence last week. Aguilar’s co-defendants, Jose Bernardo Vega-Ruiz, 27, and Hector Alvarado-Aboyte, 29, both also from Los Mochis, Sinaloa, Mexico, received harsher sentences of 15 months imprisonment, also followed by three years of supervised release, after their sentencing on November 20.

Federal agents executed a search warrant at the Phoenix house on March 9, uncovering a cache of five firearms. The presence of a “ghost gun” – a firearm assembled from parts purchased without a background check and lacking a serial number – raised particular concerns for investigators. These weapons are notoriously difficult to trace, making them attractive to criminals.

All three men are undocumented non-citizens and were charged with the federal crime of Alien in Possession of a Firearm, a violation that carries significant penalties. The investigation was a collaborative effort between Customs and Border Protection’s U.S. Border Patrol and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Sources within the ATF stated the investigation began after receiving tips about potential illegal activity at the residence.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa E. Jennis, District of Arizona, Phoenix, led the prosecution, presenting evidence linking the three men to the firearms. While the exact purpose for possessing the weapons remains unclear, the case underscores the dangers posed by the illegal flow of firearms across the border and the challenges faced by law enforcement in combating it. The sentences, while significant, are unlikely to deter others involved in similar activities, say sources familiar with cross-border gun trafficking.

The case serves as a reminder of the ATF’s ongoing commitment to tracing illegal firearms and disrupting criminal networks. The agency is increasingly focused on combating the proliferation of “ghost guns,” which have become a growing concern in recent years. This case, while closed, will likely fuel further investigation into the source of the firearm components and any potential connections to larger criminal organizations operating in the region.

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