Nogales Man Sentenced Attempting To Smuggle Rifles Into Mexico

TUCSON – Last week, Ricardo Alberto Ruiz Pelayo, 24, of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, was sentenced to 30 months in prison followed by three years’ supervised release.

Ruiz Pelayo previously pleaded guilty to an indictment charging one count of unlawful smuggling goods from the United States.

On September 13, 2018, Ruiz Pelayo attempted to cross from Nogales, Arizona into Nogales, Sonora via the Mariposa port of entry. An inspection of his vehicle located three AR-15 style assault rifles and two Glock handguns in addition to three magazine clips.

Although he was residing lawfully in the U.S. at the time, he will be deported to Mexico upon completion of his prison sentence.