PHOENIX – A federal grand jury in Phoenix has returned a 158-count indictment following a two-year investigation, against Fernando Daniel Castro, Cruz Rafael Castro, Marque J’von Rogers, Taquan Antonio M. Carter, Zaccheus Faith Baselt, Juan Manuel Torres Perez, and 15 other individuals for conspiracy to smuggle firearms.
Specifically, the individuals were charged with Conspiracy to Unlawfully Purchase Firearms for the Purpose of Dealing in Firearms Without a License, Making False Statements During the Purchase of a Firearm, Dealing in Firearms Without a License, and Conspiracy to Traffic Firearms.
According to the Department of Justice, the indictment alleges that Fernando Daniel Castro of Phoenix and certain co-conspirators recruited others to purchase firearms from Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs) in Arizona in exchange for payment. The firearms were purchased on behalf of Castro, who would then sell the firearms for profit. According to the indictment, Castro sold some of the firearms, including Glock 19 pistols and AK-style rifles, knowing or having reason to believe that they would be exported outside of the United States.
On March 31, 2026, Emmanual Rabena-Velderrain of Mexico, pleaded guilty to Attempted Smuggling of Goods from the United States. Rabena-Velderrain was caught trying to cross the border into Mexico on Feb. 17, 2025, with 42 AK-style rifles and 42 7.62×39 magazines in his vehicle.
Rabena-Velderrain is scheduled for sentencing on August 17, 2026, in Tucson.
On April 27, 2026, Amairany Guadalupe Armendariz Alvarez, of Mexico, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Susan M. Brnovich to 24 months in prison. Alvarez previously pleaded guilty to Alien in Possession of a Firearm. In her plea, Alvarez admitted to entering the United States with a non-immigrant visa and traveling to Phoenix to pick up three M249 rifles and a Colt pistol. She also admitted that she knew that the firearms were going to be smuggled into Mexico.
On May 13, 2026, Alejandro Rodriguez and Maricruz Carrillo, both of Phoenix, pleaded guilty to Felon in Possession of Firearms and Ammunition. They each admitted to possessing an M249 rifle, a Barrett .50 BMG rifle, an FN SCAR rifle, 12 AK-style rifles, 6 pistols, and 57,000 rounds of ammunition at their Phoenix residence after being convicted of a felony offense.
Rodriguez and Carrillo are both scheduled for sentencing on Oct. 19. 2026.
On June 24, 2026, Jose Daniel Medina, of Mexico, and on July 1, 2026, Juan Jesus Estevez, of Mexico, each pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to Smuggle Firearms and Ammunition from the United States. In their pleas, Medina and Estevez admitted to conspiring to obtain firearms and ammunition in Arizona that were then smuggled across the border for buyers in Mexico.
Both men are scheduled for sentencing on Sept. 11, 2026.
A third co-conspirator, Christian Alberto Pereida Ramirez, of Nogales, Arizona, is scheduled for a change of plea hearing on August 12, 2026.
As part of this investigation, law enforcement seized 10 pistols and 56,000 rounds of ammunition.
A conviction for Conspiracy to Traffic Firearms and Prohibited Possessor of Firearms and/or Ammunition carries a maximum penalty of 15 years, a $250,000 fine, or both. A conviction for Smuggling Goods Outside the United States carries a maximum penalty of 10 years, a $250,000 fine, or both. A conviction for Conspiracy, Making False Statements During the Purchase of a Firearm, or Dealing in Firearms Without a License all carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.
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