FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE	Monday, October 22, 2012
Docket #: 2:12-cr-00095-WBS

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Dennis Estes, 37, of Modesto, pleaded guilty today to one count of conspiring to deal in firearms without a license and one count of trafficking firearms, United States Attorney Benjamin B. Wagner announced.

According to court documents, in January and February 2012, agents made a series of undercover purchases of firearms from Estes and co-defendant Kevin Webber. On January 9, 2012, agents purchased a fully automatic assault weapon and an AR-15 type weapon from Estes.

This case is the product of an extensive investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. Assistant United States Attorney Jason Hitt prosecuted the case.

Estes is scheduled to be sentenced by United States District Judge William B. Shubb on January 7, 2013. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. The actual sentence, however, will be determined at the discretion of the Court after consideration of any applicable statutory factors and the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables.

Charges against Webber are pending. His next court appearance is set for November 5, 2012. The allegations in the indictment are only accusations, and he is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

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