An Arizona judge on Wednesday sentenced a man to 57 months in prison
for his part in the gun-smuggling ring that is connected to the death of
a U.S. Border Patrol agent and was the target of the Justice
Department’s failed Operation Fast and Furious. Jaime Avila Jr. pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy and dealing guns without a federal license. The 25-year-old Avila bought two rifles found at the scene of the
fatal shooting of Agent Brian Terry north of the Arizona-Mexico border.
He also must undergo treatment for drug and alcohol abuse while in
prison, as part of the sentencing. U.S. District Judge James Teilborg said Avila has shown remorse, but
could have spared the lives of Terry and others. Teilborg was also
scheduled Wednesday to sentence five other men who admitted serving as
straw buyers for the ring. Operation Fast and Furious started in 2009 and was run by an Arizona
field office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The agency allowed roughly 1,400 guns to enter the black market in
hopes the sales would lead them to cartel organizers. However, many of
the guns turned up at crime scenes across Mexico and the United States
and most were not recovered...
more
No comments:
Post a Comment