MEXICAN NATIONAL SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON FOR UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM

                 PHOENIX – On April 16, 2012, Ramon Arturo Amaya-Salazar, 38, a Mexican national, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Frederick J. Martone to 21 months in federal prison. Amaya-Salazar pleaded guilty on Jan. 31, 2012 to being an Alien Unlawfully in Possession of a Firearm.

According to court documents, on June 2, 2011, Amaya-Salazar, while present in the United States under a nonimmigrant visa, had possession of a .50 caliber Bushmaster rifle. The rifle had been shipped and transported in interstate and foreign commerce. Amaya-Salazar had been issued a border crossing card that allowed him to travel within 25 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border, but did not allow him to own or possess any type of firearm while in the United States. 

The investigation in this case was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The prosecution is being handled by Robert K. Lu, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of Arizona, Phoenix.

CASE NUMBER:           CR- 11-01205-FJM        
RELEASE NUMBER:   2012-097(Amaya-Salazar)

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For more information on the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao/az/