Jesus Angel Vasquez Balganon, 33, of Mexico, has been sentenced to 85 months in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release, for smuggling goods from the United States and international money laundering. U.S. Chief District Judge Jennifer G. Zipps handed down the sentence on November 21, 2024, and ordered Vasquez Balganon to forfeit $97,229.
Vasquez Balganon pleaded guilty in March 2024 to charges stemming from a multi-year operation in which he illegally exported firearms, ammunition, and weapons components from the United States to Mexico.
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Between March 2018 and January 2021, Vasquez Balganon exported or attempted to export 67 firearms, including high-powered weapons such as a machine gun, an AK-103 style firearm, a Century Arms WASR rifle, and a FN SCAR 17 rifle. Additionally, he smuggled approximately 20,000 rounds of ammunition, ammunition links, and 208 magazines. Many of these items were later recovered in Mexico.
On April 6, 2021, Vasquez Balganon was arrested at the Nogales Port of Entry while attempting to smuggle nine 30-round AR-15 high-capacity magazines concealed in his vehicle. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered the magazines hidden in a shopping bag. Vasquez Balganon admitted he knew the magazines were prohibited for export to Mexico and expected to be paid $100 for the delivery.
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Further investigation revealed that Vasquez Balganon transferred over $20,000 from a U.S. bank to a bank in Mexico between February 2019 and March 2021 to facilitate his smuggling activities.
All the firearms, ammunition, magazines, and accessories involved in the case are designated on the United States Commerce Control List, which prohibits their export to Mexico without a valid license. Vasquez Balganon and his co-conspirators lacked the necessary licenses or legal authority for such exports.
The investigation was conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, with prosecution handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Raquel Arellano of the District of Arizona.
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