Honduran Man Sentenced for Violating The Federal Gun Control Act

U.S. Attorney Kenneth A. Polite announced that SANTOS GAVARRETE-NATAREN, 36, a native of Honduras, pled guilty today to knowingly delivering a firearm to a common carrier without written notice.

According to court documents, on or about December 2, 2013, Dip Shipping, a common carrier based in Kenner, Louisiana, received a plastic container for international shipment at its West Bank drop-off location. The container was purportedly from Alfredo Barahona, addressed to Yessenia Martinez in Yoro, Honduras. The shipping label noted that the shipment contained kitchen items and shoes.

While scanning packages with a company owned X-ray machine, a Dip Shipping employee observed the image of two firearms inside the container.  On December 9, 2013, HSI Special Agents were notified of the discovery and responded to Dip Shipping.  Upon inspecting the container, the agents discovered that it contained a Smith & Wesson model 642, .38 revolver (SN: CJJ4544) and a Lorcin model L380, .380 semi-automatic handgun (SN: 125407).

HSI agents determined that GAVARRETE shipped the package. GAVARRETE admitted that he did not apply for an export license to ship the firearms.  Further, he did not advise Dip Shipping that the package contained firearms.

U.S. District Judge Kurt D. Engelhardt scheduled sentencing for February 4, 2015.   GAVARRETTE faces a maximum of 5 years imprisonment and a maximum fine of $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Polite praised the work of the Homeland Security Agents investigating this matter.  Assistant United States Attorney Emily K. Greenfield is in charge of prosecuting this case.