MEXICAN NATIONAL PLEADS GUILTY TO UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF ASSAULT RIFLE

            PHOENIX – On January 31, 2012, Ramon Arturo Amaya-Salazar, 38, a Mexican national, pleaded guilty to being an Alien Unlawfully in Possession of a Firearm in federal district court in Phoenix.

                 The indictment in this case alleged that, 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 defendant had been issued a border crossing card that allowed him to travel within 25 miles of the U.S.-Mexican border, but did not allow him to own or possess any type of firearm while in the United States. 

                 A conviction for Alien Unlawfully in Possession of a Firearm carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison, a $250,000 fine, or both.   In determining an actual sentence, the assigned United States District Court Judge will consult the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines, which provide appropriate sentencing ranges.  The judge, however, is not bound by those guidelines in determining a sentence.

                 Sentencing is set before Judge Frederick J. Martone on April 16, 2012.

                 The investigation 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:   2012-021(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/