Florida Men Arrested For Conspiracy To Illegally Transport Destructive Devices And Machine Guns

JAIME JAUREGUI, 34,  and CARLOS CABRERA, 42, both of Orlando, Florida, RUBEN JAUREGUI, 24, and FRANCISCO MALDONADO, 46, both of Dade City, Florida, were arrested last Friday (March 22, 2013) and charged by criminal complaint with conspiracy to transport destructive devices (M-60 Grenades) and machine guns (AK 47 fully automatic assault rifles and Colt M-4 automatic assault rifles) in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Sections 371 and 922(a)(4), announced U.S. Attorney Dana J. Boente.

According to previously filed court documents, agents of Homeland Security Investigations in New Orleans received information in January 2012 indicating that JAIME JAUREGUI was interested in acquiring items listed on the United States Munitions List to be smuggled to end users in Mexico.  On at least four occasions from January 2012 through March 21, 2013, JAIME JAUREGUI met with undercover agents in St. Tammany Parish to negotiate the purchase of more than 100 fully automatic assault rifles, grenade launchers, grenades, and night vision goggles, all of which were destined for a Mexican drug trafficking cartel.  JAIME JAUREGUI provided a cash deposit of approximately $46,000.00 during those meetings.  JAIME JAUREGUI hired CARLOS CABRERA, FRANCISCO MALDONADO, and RUBEN JAUREGUI to assist him with transporting the weapons to the final destinations.  None of the men have federal firearms or export licenses.  On March 21, 2013, all were arrested by Special Agents of Homeland Security Investigations.