Victor Coronado, Jr., Firearms Smuggling, Arizona 2023

Tucson, Arizona – A brazen plot to smuggle nearly 50 assault rifles and high-capacity semi-automatic pistols from the United States into Mexico has come to an end with a 60-month prison sentence for a Tucson man.

Victor Coronado, Jr., 40, of Tucson, Arizona, was sentenced on Tuesday by United States District Judge Rosemary Márquez to 60 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Coronado pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Smuggle Goods from the United States.

Between October 2019 and July 2020, Coronado, the leader of the conspiracy, orchestrated the smuggling of 49 assault rifles and high-capacity semi-automatic pistols into Mexico. Coronado and his co-conspirators purchased firearms, made false statements to firearms dealers in the acquisition of firearms, provided funds to others for the purchase of firearms, and assisted in smuggling the illicit firearms into Mexico.

The firearms that Coronado conspired to smuggle are prohibited from being exported from the United States into Mexico without a valid license. Neither Coronado, nor any of his co-conspirators, had a valid license or any other lawful authority to export the firearms into Mexico.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, assisted by Homeland Security Investigations and United States Customs and Border Protection, conducted the investigation in this case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brandon Bolling, District of Arizona, Tucson, handled the prosecution.

Coronado’s crimes were a brazen disregard for U.S. law and a threat to public safety in Mexico. The sentencing is a reminder that those who engage in such activities will be held accountable.

Case Number: CR-02081-RM-MSA

Release Number: 2023-125_Coronado, et al.

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