Federal Charges in Multi-State Gun Smuggling Scheme

Nine individuals are facing federal charges for allegedly orchestrating a complex scheme to illegally acquire firearms and smuggle them into Mexico.

This group includes seven residents of Arizona, as well as a man from Montana and another from California. They reportedly acted as straw purchasers, buying guns for others between March 2020 and January 2024, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona.

“This case highlights a plot to deceive and purchase dangerous firearms for violent actors and to traffic these weapons across our southern border,” U.S. Attorney Timothy Corchaine noted in a press release.

Particularly alarming is the suggestion that these weapons were intended for criminal organizations. The Attorney’s Office is actively collaborating with law enforcement to impede the flow of illegal firearms that are, arguably, meant to harm innocent people.

Allegations from federal prosecutors indicate that the defendants forged documents to misrepresent themselves as legitimate purchasers before transferring the firearms to others.

The conspiracy allegedly involved plans to buy over 15 firearms, including ten belt-fed semi-automatic rifles and three Barrett .50 caliber rifles, with the intent of exporting them across the border into Mexico.

On July 26, 2023, law enforcement seized six firearms, with another firearm being confiscated by the Mexican government on March 24, 2025, which was traced back to this suspected conspiracy.

The suspects were arrested on January 27, 2026, and include Jorge Alan Corona, Alejandro Corona, Jonathan Ventura Bravo, Jesus Roberto Corella Mares, Marvin Agustin Teutle, April Dennis Corral Aldecoa, Linda Anna Grace Camarillo, Jose Ruben Quiroz, and Rosario Agustín Toitre.

The charges against them include conspiracy to make materially false statements while purchasing firearms, according to the Department of Justice.

“Straw purchasers aren’t merely lying on paper; they’re often placing firearms directly into the hands of criminals,” stated Sean Staro, acting special agent in charge of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives in Phoenix.

If found guilty, each individual could face up to ten years in prison and potentially a hefty fine of $250,000.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona has not yet commented on this situation.