West Valley man sentenced over 2 years in scheme to traffick guns into Mexico
WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4) — A West Valley man was sentenced this week in a scheme to purchase high-caliber rifles that he intended to traffick into Mexico, according to the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Utah.
Jose Manuel Barbosa-Torres, 36, pleaded guilty to three counts of aiding and abetting false statements during the acquisition of a firearm. He was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment and three years of supervised release.
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According to court documents, Barbosa-Torres provided money for his co-defendants to purchase multiple Barret .50 caliber rifles in August 2023. The defendants then inaccurately filled out the firearm transaction record ATF Form 4473. The defendants indicated on the form they were the actual buyer of the firearm, which prosecutors said was false.
Barbosa-Torres also reportedly admitted during his change of plea hearing to buying the rifles for someone else who was going to transport them into Mexico.
“Barbosa-Torres purchased or facilitated the purchase of a least eight .50 BMG caliber rifles knowing they would be trafficked into Mexico. These weapons have the capacity to inflict massive destruction,” said U.S. Attorney Trina A. Higgins of the District of Utah. “Working with law enforcement, my office will continue to vigorously prosecute firearm trafficking that could lead to violence in our district or anywhere else.”
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) Special Agent in Charge Brent Beavers said the ATF is on the front line, fighting against international firearms trafficking.
“We are grateful for the collaboration between ATF and our industry partners which played a significant role in stopping the illegal flow of firearms into the hands of Sinaloa Cartel members in Mexico,” said Beavers.
Barbosa-Torres’ co-defendant Iliana Dennis is scheduled to be sentenced on April 22, 2024. Two other co-defendants, Armando Figueroa Jr. and Cecilio Luis Arriaga, are pending trial.
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