ATF, ICE and Others Bust Firearm Ring with Roots in Mexico

If you have been charged with a firearm or weapons crime, contact criminal defense attorney John L. Calcagni at (401) 351-5100 or use the contact form HERE for more information.

International Firearm Ring Busted
Alexandra Limon
November 9, 2011
An arms trafficking ring with players in Mexico and the U.S. was busted by ATF, ICE and other agencices.

In 2009, 33-year-old Gregorio Salgado Lopez was arrested in Mexico after hew as caught on a bus with more than 50 guns. He paid bail and fled to the U.S.

"Mexican authorities were assisted by atf agents in tracking the firearms to madera," said U.S Attorney, Benjamin B. Wagner.

The Department of Justice says the group bought at least 400 firearms at a local Madera gun shop. The guns are .22 caliber rifles, not typically used by criminals. It appears this operation does not have ties to Mexican drug cartels.

Three suspects were arrested Tuesday, and appeared in court Wednesday. At least two others live in Mexico, they and the others are still at large and probably remain in the Madera area. Including Demetrio Cortez Ordaz, authorities say he was the one who transported the guns to Mexico.

According to ATF, the group purchased more than 400 rifles at Pete's Sport Shop from 2006 to 2009 for the purpose of reselling the guns illegally, in Oaxaca Mexico.

"Right now were showing over six years and there were not that many guns so i have to take issue with their numbers," said Rochelle Noblett, the President of Pete's Sport Shop.

The store and it's employees are not facing any charges. The Department of Justice says Pete's did nothing wrong. Noblett says the number of guns purchased by some of the suspects, did raise a red flag. "Then i called the DOJ in california and i asked them and i was told they can buy as many long guns as they want," said Noblett.

Thisis not believed to be related to Mexican drug cartels.

"They're not the sort of semi automatic assault riffles or other automatic weapons that are typically purchased by members of mexican cartels. and we are not aware of any of these particular rifles being sold to members of the mexican cartels," said Wagner.

ATF says most of the rifles have been recovered.

The Crime of Armed Robbery

All robberies are felonies, however the addition of a weapon to the existing crime of robbery constitutes what is considered a Class A felony in most jurisdictions, punishable under very harsh sentences.

In prosecuting the crime of armed robbery, although the circumstances of the crime are always taken into account, sentences typically involve prison time. Keeping any previous convictions or charges in mind, an armed robber who is a repeat offender will most certainly be looking at some sort of prison sentence, if not the death penalty in states where it applies.

The circumstances of an armed robbery are likely to be one of the most prevalent mitigating factors in determining a sentence. Whether other crimes were taking place at the same time as the armed robbery; whether an injury or death occurred as a result of the crime; the kind of weapon used, and the severity of the crime are all taken into account for sentencing purposes.

Criminal defense attorneys are well versed in the different laws dealing with armed robbery and can provide you with the best possible defense. As a former military prosecutor in the U.S. Army JAG Corps and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice, John L. Calcagni has a unique understanding of what process the prosecution will follow.

A situation where a death has occurred as a result of an armed robbery, whether or not the perpetrator intended to cause the death, is treated as a murder charge. Felony murder charges do not need to satisfy any intent criteria, merely show that the accused could have reasonably assumed that death would occur as a result of their actions.

If you are being charged with armed robbery, or another felony crime in RI, MA, or at a Federal level, you need experienced legal representation. Contact Mr. Calcagni at (401) 351-5100 or use the contact form HERE for more information.