Florida Man, Jaime Jauregui, Convicted Of Gun Control And National Firearms Act Violations

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that JAIME JAUREGUI, age 36, of Orlando, Florida, was convicted today after a 2 ½ day jury trial.  The jury returned a verdict of guilty as charged on both counts of the superseding indictment which charged JAUREGUI with conspiracy to violate the Gun Control and National Firearms Acts (18 U.S.C. § 371) and possession of unregistered firearms (26 U.S.C. §  5861(d)).

According to previously filed court documents, agents of Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans received information in January 2012 indicating that JAUREGUI was interested in acquiring items listed on the United States Munitions List to be smuggled to end users in Mexico.  On at least four occasions from January 2012 through March 21, 2013, JAUREGUI met with an undercover agent in St. Tammany Parish to negotiate the purchase of more than 100 fully automatic assault rifles, grenade launchers, grenades, and night vision goggles, all of which were destined for a Mexican drug trafficking cartel.  JAUREGUI provided a cash deposit of approximately $46,000.00 during those meetings.  JAIME JAUREGUI hired CARLOS CABRERA, FRANCISCO MALDONADO, AND RUBEN JAUREGUI to assist him with transporting the weapons to the final destinations.  None of the men have federal firearms or export licenses. Defendants CABRERA, MALDONADO, and RUBEN JAUREGUI previously pled guilty.

U.S. District Judge Jay C. Zainey scheduled sentencing for January 27, 2015.   The maximum penalties for Count 1 are five years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and a $100 special assessment fee.   The maximum penalties for Count 2 are ten years imprisonment, a fine of $250,000, and a $100 special assessment fee.  Upon release from imprisonment, JAUREGUI is also subject to a three year term of supervised release.

“Jaime Jauregui and his co-conspirators planned to make a fortune by trafficking in illegal weapons intended to end up in the hands of Mexican drug cartels,” stated U.S. Attorney Polite.  “Fortunately, the efforts of our law enforcement partners intervened before Jauregui’s criminality further jeopardized the safety of individuals here in the United States and in Mexico.  After deliberating for less than one hour, the jury returned a guilty verdict that will ensure that Jauregui is held accountable for his dangerous actions.”

“Firearms regulations exist to ensure weapons crossing international borders are properly accounted for to preserve public safety and to keep them out of the hands of dangerous criminals,” said Special Agent in Charge of HSI New Orleans Raymond R. Parmer Jr. “This case shows the significant consequences awaiting individuals who attempt to illegally smuggle weapons across U.S. borders.”

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), with assistance from the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), the Louisiana State Police, and the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff’s Office, in investigating this matter.  Assistant U.S. Attorney Gregory M. Kennedy and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Ebarb are in charge of prosecuting this case.